Port names new pilot boat
Port of Auckland has announced the name of its new pilot vessel Te Ihu, which means the bow, nose, point of first contact.
Entrusted to the port by Ngati Whatua Orakei, the name recognises the vessel’s role in ensuring safe navigation on the Waitemata, and the enduring contribution of long-serving harbour pilot-boat master, Murray McGehan, whose leadership has shaped safe passage for countless ships and crews.
“We’re delighted to name this new vessel Te Ihu alongside Ngati Whatua Orakei and in honour of Murray’s service,” says Chris Mills, the port’s general manager of marine, cruise and multi-cargo.
“Te Ihu will sail across the Tasman from Hart Marine in Victoria in August, so the arrival of this waka from foreign shores in Aotearoa adds further depth and meaning to the name. We’ll recognise Murray through a commemorative plaque in the wheelhouse of Te Ihu.”
McGehan adds: “I’m delighted to have been recognised for my 50 years’ service at the port and to have been involved in developing the name alongside Lisa Davis from Ngati Whatua Orakei was a real honour.”
According to traditional waka knowledge, the tauihu (carved prow) is far more than the front of the vessel. It’s the part that meets wind and water first, providing balance and stability so those behind can move with confidence. This symbolism sits at the heart of the name Te Ihu.
“A pilot vessel may look like a transport craft, but its true role mirrors that of the tauihu – it goes ahead, reads the conditions and makes the path safe for the giants that follow,” explains Lisa Davis, chief executive of Ngati Whatua Orakei.
“Te Ihu recognises that stabilising force and honours the steady guidance Murray has provided over many years.”
The naming of Te Ihu reflects the deep and enduring relationship between the iwi, the Waitemata and port, acknowledging maritime tradition and shared custodianship of the harbour.
The tug comes in at 17.54 metres long, the beam is 5.25m, her displacement is 23 tonnes lightship. The engines are Scania Di16 560kW and the water jets are Hamilton HTX42. Te Ihu is expected to enter service in September 2026.
