TE TUI

Todays woody an ex Auckland Harbour Board (AHB) work boat named TeTui. There is some issue arounf the above photo of her in Tryphena, Gt Barrier Island – as the ‘owner’ of the photo – Maurie Ogden, believes it was taken c.1978/79 but the photo has a dated tag of 2015 – so firstly can we confirm the date? Maurie recalls TeTui was engaged by the AHB in the 1960’s to service the harbour bouys and beacons.

Gordon Land has commented that Ken Morris positively identified her as a AHB boat belonging to his neighbour Dr Fergus. When he died his son John took it to Tauranga, repaired and sold it. She is / was about 26′ LOA and had a 4 cylinder Ford diesel.

Can any of the Work Boat Group help confirm the above and fill in some of the blanks + update us on what became of her.

INPUT ex NIGEL DRAKE A of photo below of Te Tui on her mooring in Pilot Bay in Nov 2018.

I’M OUT OF HERE – As you are reading this I’m on the big silver bird on-route to Hobart, Tasmania, Australia for the 2023 Australian Wood Boat Festival – I have been trying to get there for 6 years – people dying and a wee thing called Covid has got in the way. To quote that great Aussie saying – I’m as excited as a dog with two tails. It is my plan to post from the festival each day, so check in each morning for a trip report.