For the Love of Tugs

There are some things for which people just have an affinity. Puppies and kittens are the obvious choice, but there are other things, like steam locomotives, antique cars, and yes, tug boats. You know it is true. If it wasn’t, there wouldn’t be so many juvenile books and programs featuring tug boats. Little Toot, Theodore, Tuggy and Scruffy come to mind instantly. Well, adults can enjoy them too, so here is a new series on tug boats.

The first installment comes from Napier, New Zealand, the home of Kaweka, Te Mata, and Ahuriri.

All three of Napier’s tugs along side, January 16, 2026.

Te Mata assisting a ship’s departure at night. Te Mata was built in 2011, is 23 meters in length and features a Voight tractor configuration.

Ahuriri standing by to assist a ship’s arrival. Built in Singapore in 2002, the tug is 23.8 meters long and also uses the Voight tractor design.

Kaweka backing away at night. Kaweka is the newest of the three tugs, arriving in 2019. It is 24 meters long and features azimuth tractor drive powered by two Caterpillar main engines producing a combined 5,632 horse power.