New $36m dredge named Kapuka

Te Rūnaka o Ōtākou has gifted the name, Kapuka, to the new $36 million state-of-the-art trailing suction hopper dredge owned by Napier Port and Port Otago and due to arrive in New Zealand in December. 

Kapuka means “to scoop out with both hands together”.

Te Rūnaka o Ōtākou Upoko Edward Ellison says the name was derived from an ancient legend. “In our traditions, the Ōtākou Harbour was gouged out – or scooped out – by an amazing taniwha named Matamata – from the Taiaroa Head right up to Dunedin.

Video: Te Rūnaka o Ōtākou gifts the name, "Kapuka"

“At a later stage, Matamata was looking for its master, a Ngāti Māmoe chief named Rakitauneke, who went inland. The taniwha lost sight of Rakitauneke, so he started slithering down the Taieri Plains looking for his master and that is how people describe the Lower Taieri – the winds and turns of the river. 

“Eventually Matamata reposed where Saddle Hill is now, hence those two peaks, in our tradition, are part of that taniwha.

“It’s quite a descriptive korero – fitting to the Ōtākou Harbour, akin to the work that the new dredge Kapuka will do in the harbour to keep the channel open.”

Edward says there is a fitting connection between the two ports – Napier and Otago – through the waka Tākitimu, captained by the great explorer Tamatea, who made landfall at various points along the east coast of Te Ika a Maui (North Island). 

“Kahungunu, the progenitor of the present day Ngāti Kahungunu, was among the passengers. The Tākitimu continued southward to Te Ara a Kewa (Foveuax Strait) where it foundered; the upturned hull forms Tākitimu Mountain range in Southland. While Tamatea and his people returned north, his travels are remembered in the name for the wharenui at Ōtākou Marae. In that sense, this dredge brings together two ports whose people are linked by the voyage of Tamatea and the waka Tākitimu.”

Port Otago Chief Executive Kevin Winders: “It is a privilege listening to Edward tell us of the Rūnaka legend, and gifting the name, Kapuka, which resonates with our kaimahi and fits the vessel so perfectly.”

Napier Port CEO Todd Dawson: “We’re very grateful to Te Rūnaka o Ōtākou for gifting the name Kapuka. The story behind the name, and the connection it draws between our two regions, makes it particularly fitting for a vessel that will serve both ports.

“Kapuka is a great example of what can be achieved through collaboration between two ports with similar needs. By investing together, we’re securing an important piece of infrastructure that will support safe and reliable access to our ports for many years to come.”

In addition to maintenance and capital dredging for both ports, Kapuka will also be on hand to respond to unforeseen events, such as when emergency dredging was required, post extreme weather events, in order to maintain safe shipping channels and lifeline access into New Zealand ports. 

The sheer scale of Kapuka is such that she has taken almost two years to build. Commissioning begins next month, followed by sea trials. She is expected to reach Port Chalmers in December, with a Damen crew undertaking the 32- to 38-day journey from Vietnam. 

TSHD-1000 specs: 
- Trailing suction hopper dredge (TSHD)
- Capacity: 1000m3
- Length: 58.7m
- Beam: 12.2m
- Depth at mid length point: 4.5 metres
- Deadweight: 1400 tonnes
- Speed: approx 10 knots
- Pump performance: approx 2000m3/hour