Te Kukupa II welcomed home

The sleek and stealthy Te Kukupa II patrol boat glided into Avatiu harbour yesterday morning fittingly welcomed by a rainbow, light showers, family, friends and dignitaries who made up the hundreds waiting patiently for the vessel to berth.

Te Kukupa II is 39.5 metres long, has a steel monohulled design and is capable of travelling 3000 nautical miles (5,600 km; 3,500 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph), with a maximum speed of 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph).

The 15^th Guardian-class patrol boat gifted by Australia replaces the original Te Kukupa which has given 33 years of service to the Cook Islands.