A new patrol boat has been launched into service in Tauranga.

Local kaumatua Tamati Tata (Ngāi Tamarāwaho) joined with Bay of Plenty Regional Council senior maritime officers, Tauranga’s harbourmaster and other iwi leaders at a blessing and launch at Sulphur Point this month.

“The new patrol boat Manaaki was recently launched as a like-for-like replacement of a patrol boat that is being retired after 10 years of service,” Tauranga Harbourmaster Jon Jon Peters said.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council operates small patrol/response boats that have been in service through the 2010s and into the 2020s.

A notable earlier vessel is the Moko, a roughly 5.5 m rigid-hulled inflatable patrol/utility boat commissioned around 2016 for harbour safety and compliance duties, used by the harbourmaster and maritime team.

Barry Ngatoko (Ngāi Tamarāwaho), Buddy Mikaere (Ngāi Tamarāwaho), Tamati Tata (Ngāi Tamarāwaho), Jacqui Sinclair (BOPRC Maritime Officer), Puhirake Ihaka (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Te Arawa, Ngāti Raukawa), Jon Jon Peters (BOPRC Harbourmaster and Maritime Manager), and BOPRC Maritime Officers Roly Bagshaw, Daniel Bramley, and Hamish Gibson. Photo / Kelly O’Hara

Unlike its predecessor Moko, which referenced a specific rangatira (chief) associated with Ngāi Te Rangi, and acknowledged the region’s tangata whenua and the council’s partnership with local iwi, the name Manaaki reflects a core value — one of care, protection and service to the community.

Manaaki reflects its use for safeguarding people on the water, responding in emergencies, protecting the harbour environment and serving the community.

Ngāi Tamarāwaho kaumatua Buddy Mikaere, who attended the launch event, said the new vessel was a wonderful addition to the city’s emergency services.

“In the wake of the Mauao tragedy it was important that our first responders have the best equipment available and the new patrol vessel certainly looks the goods,” Mikaere said.

“Tauranga is probably the busiest port in the country now and combined with the large number of leisure vessels calling the harbour home, it is important that we have the ability to help ensure the safety of all those using its waters.”

A new patrol boat Manaaki has been launched into service in Tauranga. Photo / Kelly O’Hara

The launch event was also attended by Barry Ngatoko (Ngāi Tamarāwaho), Puhirake Ihaka (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Te Arawa, Ngāti Raukawa) and Bay of Plenty Regional Council maritime officers Jacqui Sinclair, Roly Bagshaw and Daniel Bramley.

“It was very appropriate that the new vessel receive a blessing from the tangata whenua of the community given the importance that the harbour holds for iwi and hāpu,” Mikaere said.

“In this instance Manaaki meaning help or assistance was an appropriate name for the new vessel. The new vessel will be based in Ngai Tamarāwaho’s traditional hapu area.”

“The six-metre inflatable rib was built in Auckland by Kiwi Yachting and will be on the water daily over the summer period and used ad hoc and on weekends during winter months,” Peters said.