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Te Kukupa II welcomed home

Thursday 21 July 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National

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Te Kukupa II welcomed home
The new police patrol boat has arrived in Rarotonga. Photo: MELINA ETCHES/

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