A contract for a new Police boat, Deodar IV, has been inked, and construction is due to begin in January 2025.

“The new boat will feature improvements to make it more fit for purpose, including an extended wheelhouse which provides more space and better visibility,” Office in Charge of Auckland Maritime Unit, Senior Sergeant Garry Larsen, said. 

Once the new boat undergoes sea trials in December 2026, it will replace Deodar III in assisting in several tasks, including attending crime scenes, apprehending offenders, and medical emergencies to search and rescue. 

“The medical bay and prisoner transport area have also been modified to suit the needs of those spaces, and we are pleased there will be carbon emission reduction features,” Larsen said. 

Deodar III saw action during the 2019 Whakaari eruption, assisting with inter-agency operations and acting as a platform for the Police National Dive Squad.

Deodar IV will be a like-for-like replacement – the same overall size at 18.7m long and with the same sleek marine-grade aluminium catamaran design as Deodar III.

“It’s vital that we get the design of the boat right and ensure that it’s fit for the diverse and demanding job it will be doing.”

Deodar III has patrolled the Hauraki Gulf and coastline since 2007, and at nearly 17 years old, it requires increasing maintenance and repairs to keep it seaworthy.

Like Deodar III, the new vessel will be designed for stability, reliability and flexibility in various tasks. 

Funding for the new Deodar IV was approved in December 2022, and was confirmed in the 2024 Budget.

The successful tenderer, announced last year, was Whanganui-based Q-West which built Deodar III, the Wellington Police launch Lady Liz IV, and Customs boat Hawk V. Teknicraft Design Ltd, of Beachlands, Auckland, is designing the boat.