Repair work on the Cook Islands’ maritime patrol vessel is expected to be completed this month.

Te Kukupa II, the country’s newest patrol boat, was taken to Cairns, Australia, for major repairs and maintenance following major defects since being gifted by the Australian Government in 2022.

A crankshaft fault issue was discovered when the vessel returned from a regional fisheries surveillance operation earlier this year.

Police media officer Trevor Pitt said: “The work on TEK II is progressing well and should be completed this month.”

The crew of Te Kukupa II departed for Australia for the patrol boat’s repairs and maintenance in early August.

Meanwhile, as the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting nears, Police said they are engaged in regular meetings with the organising team, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on security details.

Cook Islands Police is also consulting with New Zealand Police on certain aspects of the arrangements.