The Taioma Reef Society is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the tug's sinking with an evening of film and commentary on the popular dive site's development.
The tug called Taioma was sunk off the south eastern end of Motiti Island on March 19, 2000 in 27m of water.

The Taioma sank 10 years ago. Photo: Mount Underwater.

She settled upright on a flat sandy bottom and since her sinking has nurtured a growing diversity of marine life.
The tug's marine biology has been observed over the years by BOP Polytechnic marine studies students, and they will also be reviewing progress on Friday night, says reef society secretary Brian Dally.
'We are having a get together to mark the occasion,” says Brian.
Taioma was a steam harbour tug built in Britain during World War II as the Empire Jane, and brought to New Zealand in 1947 for use in Wellington. There is an unverified story that she participated in the Normandy landings of 1944. Her first New Zealand owner was the Union Steamship Co, and on sold to British Petroleum (NZ) Ltd in 1975.
Taioma operated in Wellington harbour for 30 years until laid up in December 1977.
Brought to Tauranga by Bob Owens, Taioma was preserved on shore in Tauranga Historic Village from July 1978, before being scuttled at 37-39 S, 176-25 E.