A few weeks ago, members of the Taiaroa whānau and Te Rūnanga ō Ōtākou welcomed Port Otago’s new tug Taiaroa as it entered Otago Harbour for the first time.
Taiaroa will be joining the port’s other tugs Karetai and Rangi. Port Otago transported whānau and rūnanga members out to Pukekura onboard the Tiakina, while others gathered on Aunty Rei Owen’s front lawn to wave the tug in. Others travelled out by fishing boat to welcome the tug.
The official naming ceremony was held on 5 August, where representatives of the Taiaroa whānau and rūnanga presented Port Otago with framed prints of Matenga Taiaroa and Karetai’s tāmoko.
Locals on board MV Triton, David Taiaroa, Anthony Walters, Steve Anderson, Neil McDonald (leaning out wheelhouse window).
Taiaroa making its way into the harbour.