Latest news with #Tui
The Spinoff
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Spinoff
Bloody crocs, vomit socks: The best moments from the 2025 Aotearoa Music Awards
Alex Casey recaps the highlights of the 60th Aotearoa Music Awards. Last night the Viaduct Event Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau hosted the 60th Aotearoa Music Awards, a celebration of our best and brightest musicians and an annual opportunity to see just how many outfit changes Jesse Mulligan and Kara Rickard can pack into one awards night (I counted just four this year, but we are in tough times). Here are my observations from watching the RNZ livestream from my couch (you can now watch it on TVNZ+ if you missed out) with bonus commentary from awards attendee Toby Manhire, who sent me an email with the subject line 'Unsolicited radnom opinions' at 1.26am this morning. Category is: charcoal This is humiliating to admit, but I did have a tab open the other day to watch the red carpet of the American Music Awards, convinced like all the other idiot clowns around the world that Taylor Swift was going to slither out in a snake outfit and announce Reputation TV. That didn't happen, but what struck me was how boring everybody looked in their same-y sequins, deep plunge dresses and really bad wigs (she says in her trackpants). Dare I say that New Zealand turned it out comparatively, nailing a thrilling brief that can only be described as 'Charcoal! At the Disco' Dangerous day to be a pair of crutches Poor DARTZ drummer Rollyz, aka Hakopa Kuka-Larsen, who had to take the stage not once but twice on a pair of crutches to accept the Tui for best rock artist and best video content. 'What happened?' asked Mulligan. 'Carrying the band has its downsides,' joked Kuka-larsen. Poli-poli-poli, politicians It isn't a music awards night without some politicians in the house, including minister for arts, culture and heritage Paul Goldsmith wearing what our insider described as 'a t-shirt with a lion in sequins'. He was also spotted introducing his daughter to Lorde in the crowd, before announcing 'I could use some chips.' Later in the proceedings, Mulligan gave the esteemed guests a shout out. 'Tonight we have Paul Goldsmith, Tamatha Paul, Jenny Salesa, Chris Bishop, and Kahurangi Carter,' he said. 'Yes, I said them in a weird order so you wouldn't know when to boo.' There was an indiscernible hubbub in the crowd, soon revealed to be a cluster of people yelling 'Chloe! Chloe! Chloe!'. 'We love Chloe, our Tāmaki Makaurau MP,' said Rickard. 'Hey, we're not playing favourites here,' quipped Mulligan. One of the most heartwarming moments of the night came from best classical artist winner Jian Liu, who seemed totally chuffed to accept his award. 'Music, it doesn't matter what we do, it takes a lot of passion and dedication,' he said, gesturing out to the crowd of artists. 'Maybe we can jam together if you need a good pianist.' Later in the night, L.A.B. picked up that gauntlet after winning radio airplay record of the year: 'Maybe we have a jam with Jian Lu after this and come up with another one.' Stan Walker had a showstopper He won best Māori artist earlier in the night, describing the award as 'a win for all of us, as Māori we do everything collectively, I am them, they are me,' and dedicating it to 'all our tangata whenua here who make this possible.' That kaupapa was laid bare during Walker's live performance of 'Māori Ki Te Ao' in the second half, in which the stage swelled with Toitū Te Tiriti flags, kapa haka performers and supporters. 'I'd like to say another kia ora to our politicians still in attendance,' said Mulligan, flags still waving proudly in front of the camera. 'It's great to have you here.' As a sidenote, another cool Stan Walker tidbit came during one of the throwback packages, in which he reflected on the success of 'Little Black Box' and his initial resentment of it. 'That was a song that was given to me and it wasn't really my style,' he explained. 'For a little while I didn't even know what a black box was, and years later I found out the black box was actually orange.' Still, he acknowledged the role the song had in his career and that he has now come to embrace it. 'Felt like a microcosm for the night,' wrote our awards insider. 'The snobbery of NZ music is gone.' Hori Shaw had the speech of the night Accepting his award for best breakthrough artist in camouflage and Crocs, Ōpōtiki reggae artist Hori Shaw had the acceptance speech of the night (even if they were less speeches, more awkies Q&As). 'I came prepared but everything's just gone now,' he said into the microphone. 'What about thanking some people? Family?' suggested Mulligan. 'I'd like to thank my family,' said Shaw. 'I'm just a hori fulla from the East Coast, I feel more comfortable like this instead of wearing suits and all that. Still got a bit of blood on my Crocs from last night… chur cuz.' Mulligan summed it nicely: 'Fuck I love New Zealand.' And Callum Devlin had the scream of the night Accepting the best group award for Earth Tongue with a handicam and Ezra Simons' mum Pauline, Callum Devlin from Sportsteam and Hans Puckett unleashed an impressively long scream. Cat got your Earth Tongue, Mulligan? Jesse Mulligan… was in a metal band? Speaking of screams, when Devilskin took the stage to accept the people's choice award, Mulligan had a fan moment in front of guitarist Paul Martin. 'I used to love listening to you on the Axe Attack growing up,' he said, asking if Martin could have ever expected this success all these years later. 'Probably like you and Vomit Socks back in the day,' said Martin. Wait, what? 'Are are you saying Jesse Mulligan was in a metal band?' asked Rickard. 'That's all we've got time for,' said Mulligan. We need answers. It's a woman's world Sorry to sully this celebration of the best music of the year with a Katy Perry reference, but by god did the women of New Zealand music own the live performances last night. There was Aaradhna, winner of best soul/RnB artist, with the dreamy purple gold haze of 'Love 2 Love', CHAII commanding in a white taffeta cloud for 'We Be Killing It' and Fazerdaze bringing the house down with the shimmering ennui of 'Cherry Pie'. Special shout out to our faves Atomic, who performed a thrilling medley of iconic NZ tracks by women including Julia Deans and Vera Ellen dusting off 'Lydia'. 'My baaaaaaby' never sounded better. Flowers for Fazerdaze Taking out both best solo artist and best album of the year, Fazerdaze aka Amelia Murray finally got her flowers after one hell of a journey through the industry. She was visibly moved as the audience got to their feet in a standing ovation, including a very cute supportive Kris Jenner moment from her pal and stylist Rose Hope. 'I'm very overwhelmed in a really nice way, this feels like a dream,' Murray said. 'I've been doing this for 10 years and tonight I've won my first music awards.' Our insider had this to say: 'Fazerdaze! Incredible. So much love for her tonight. Felt like being at the launch pad of a rocket.' Lorde (and now honorary NZer Charli xcx) won single of the year Fresh out of the YMCA toilets and having just released her bare-torsoed, dirt-laden music video for 'Man of the Year', Ella Yelich-O'Connor took the stage to accept the Tui for single of the year for the 'girl, so confusing' remix with Charli xcx. 'It happened incredibly quickly and it truly changed my life,' said Yelich O'Connor on the collaboration, before thanking all the women in the industry who paved the way for her: 'it's hard to have these hard conversations as women but its easier if you do it.' Although there was still no acknowledgement of the New Zealander who said she walked like a bitch, Lorde also gave a shout out to Stan Walker's powerful performance. 'I want to say thank you to Stan, that was so moving,' she said. 'Watching from overseas this year as te reo Māori is defended the way that it is is so inspiring for me, it's so beautiful.' Explicitly addressing the sequin lion t-shirt types in the room, she then went on to say this: 'are we going to honour that treaty or what?' Six60 are so popular they had to make up an award for them The lads took the stage to accept the inaugural and definitely real 'Charts Icon' award, as Rickard listed off some truly ridiculous numbers and milestones. Four number one albums. 586 weeks in the singles charts. 1232 weeks in the album charts. Their albums have been certified platinum 38 times over, and their singles 48 times. They also won highest selling artist of the year, a prize that was previously won by acts such as Six60, Six60, Six60 and Six60 for the last seven years. 'I don't know if hold music is part of the charts, but that's probably why we are standing here,' joked Chris Mac. 'And for that, I apologise.' There was an amazing closing medley It began with Don McGlashan picking his way slowly through fallen leaves, and it ended with Troy Kingi absolutely shredding his way through 'Slice of Heaven'. The all star supergroup anthem to close the show was celebrating 60 years of the local music awards and 50 years of local music charts (what happened in that first decade?) and it did not disappoint. I'm talking Savage coming out for 'Swing', soon joined by Aaradhna for 'They Don't Know'. I'm talking Hollie Smith belting 'Bathe in the River'. I'm talking How bloody Bizarre. In the words of Vomit Socks frontman Jesse Mulligan, I fucking love New Zealand.
Metro
4 days ago
- Metro
UK airport has new TUI flights to quirky European capital dubbed 'city of baths'
Fancy a city break to one of Europe's most popular capital cities? It's just become easier than ever for travellers from the Midlands. The airline is launching a new direct flight from Birmingham to the historic Hungarian capital Budapest next year. The weekly service, which will run from May 4 until September 2026, will serve TUI's summer River Cruise programme, many of which leave from Budapest. In 2026, three of TUI River Cruises' ships, Isla, Maya and Skyla, will be based on the Danube River all summer. From Budapest, the cruises wind through Hungary, Serbia and Croatia, stopping in cities like Novi Sad, Belgrade and Vukovar. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. Not a cruiser? The Birmingham-Budapest route is also intended to connect travellers with Lake Balaton, a freshwater lake in western Hungary that's part of TUI's Lakes & Mountains collection. The area is home to beaches, volcanic hills, hiking trails and even a wine-growing region. But, if you're just after the city break, return flights from May 11 next year start at £241. This includes 15kg of checked-in luggage and 10kg of hand luggage per person, so you don't have to worry about fitting everything into a tiny carry-on! Birmingham airport aviation director Tom Screen added: 'It is great to see that Tui will be launching a new weekly flight to Budapest, opening up more options for travellers direct from Birmingham. 'A popular city break destination, this route is yet another addition to Tui's great portfolio of destinations from Birmingham airport.' Nicknamed the 'City of Baths' since the 1920s, Budapest is built on over 100 thermal springs, and a trip here isn't complete without a soak. The city's iconic bathhouses are just as beautiful as they are relaxing. The most popular and well known is Szechenyi, while quieter options include Gellert, and Rudas. Szechenyi is massive, with multiple indoor and outdoor pools, and home to the famous 'Sparty', basically an electronic music themed pool party. However, the baths are thought to attract over 1.5 million visitors annually, so you'll want to bring some flip-flops with you. Once you're done relaxing, there's plenty of history to explore. The Fisherman's Bastion in the Buda Castle District is a must-see. More Trending Built in the 19th century, this fairytale-like monument is described as an 'architectural marvel' and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. These are the top things to see in Budapest, according to Tripadvisor. Hungarian Parliament Buildings – a neo-Gothic structure which serves as a city landmark and government centre. Fisherman's Bastion – a 19th-century mock bastion featuring pointed towers and turrets, reminiscent of a fairytale castle. Shoes on the Danube Banks – a memorial to WWII victims, featuring rows of shoes. St Stephen's Basilica – a historic basilica featuring stained glass and art. Central Market Hall – a historic market brimming with stalls. If you don't have time for a full river cruise, you can take a sightseeing or cocktail cruise aboard the Danube. Most set sail before sunset and offer stunning views along the river. After all the exploring, travellers can head to one of Budapest's ruin bars. These 'quirky' bars, as described so by Lonely Planet, are typically found in Budapest's Jewish Quarter, located in formerly abandoned buildings, are and are now a key part of Budapest's nightlife and draw in travellers from all over the world. And if you're hungry after all that sightseeing, Metro's Lifestyle Editor, Kristina Beanland recently visited the city, and said you have to get a table at Mazel Tov, located inside a ruin bar. Kristina says: 'Mazel Tov looks oh-so-chic, with exposed brick walls, fairy lights and house plants in every corner. But luckily, the food matches up to the interiors. 'Mazel Tov describes itself as a 'Middle Eastern' restaurant, and the hummus, with spiced lamb shoulder, was my favourite. Creamy, with perfectly seasoned lamb. Be sure to get some of their sourdough pita bread on the side – you will not regret it. Other standout choices were the green spiced feta (whipped feta is my new obsession) and fattoush salad that was perfectly crunchy and served with yuzu vinaigrette. 'Afterwards, head to Szimpla Kert for a drink, the first ruin bar in Budapest. It's massive, with multiple bars spread across two floors. The quirky decor and lively crowd will keep you entertained all night long.' Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: European city begs for 'respect' as tourists keep stealing bizarre souvenir MORE: 'It's magic': Your favourite French holiday spots that aren't Paris, Cannes or Nice MORE: Flying taxi reaches speeds of 150mph in first cross-country run
Metro
24-05-2025
- Metro
Police's stark warning over British 'drugs mule' found with record cannabis haul
Officers investigating a Tui flight attendant accused of smuggling a 'huge' amount of superstrong synthetic cannabis warned that the investigation 'is only just beginning'. Charlotte May Lee, 21, was arrested in Sri Lanka after flying there from Thailand. She claims that she had no idea the 46kg stash of 'kush' was in her luggage, saying that her clothes must have been taken out so the bags could be repacked without her knowledge. Police sources told the MailOnline that she insists she is innocent, and has put the blame on a man known only as 'Dan', who apparently promised to travel later and join her for a holiday in Sri Lanka while she waited for her Thai visa to be renewed. The roofer's daughter from Coulsden in south London was unable to provide authorities with his phone number or surname, however. The source described her as 'desperate and incredibly naive', adding 'This woman is in a lot of trouble' and urging her to be straight with police. They added: 'The investigation is only just beginning and we will be looking closely at her previous visit, who she was with and where she went.' Police believe she travelled to the country in January, although she told MailOnline she had never visited before. This is now a line of inquiry, as well as tracking down CCTV from Bangkok which may give clues about her movements. The case came within 24 hours of the arrest of another young British woman, Bella Culley, on drug smuggling charges. Miss Culley, an 18-year-old from Billingham in County Durham, was arrested at an airport in Georgia for allegedly trying to smuggle 14kg of cannabis. The cases are strikingly similar, as both women had flown alone from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport, and spoke of meeting a man later on at their destination. When a reporter visited Ms Lee in Negombo prison north of the capital Colombo, she claimed: 'I had been in Bangkok the night before and had already packed my clothes because my flight was really early. 'I left my bags in the hotel bedroom and headed for the night out. As they were already packed I didn't check them again in the morning.' She added 'I know who did it' and claimed the people who planted the drugs 'were supposed to meet me here. But now I'm stuck here in this jail.' More Trending A close friend told the paper that she had been through a tough year, including the end of a difficult relationship. They added she was 'vulnerable' and a 'silly 21-year-old but not silly enough to do something like this', adding: 'She was trained as Tui cabin crew. She knew the risks.' If found guilty of the largest kush seizure in the airport's history, she could face up to 25 years in prison. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Mum who put out a hit on her 12-year-old daughter was fed up of 'bad behaviour' MORE: Boy, 15, arrested for assault after 16-year-old dies at amusement park MORE: Neighbours 'devastated' after mum and three of her children killed in house fire
Times
24-05-2025
- Times
The hack to holidaying in Greece for just £403 this summer
By July, most of us are craving a dose of dead-cert sunshine without the back-up jumpers almost always needed in the UK. Just a three-hour flight away, Corfu is our closest Greek island and delivers perfect do-nothing weather in July, with long, dry days and temperatures in the high 20s. There's also plenty to do if you can prise yourself off the lounger, with museums, mountain villages and a Unesco-listed old town with terracotta rooftops, pavement cafés and cobbled streets. You'll stay in Kavos, a lively resort with plenty of beach bars, water sport centres and restaurants an hour's drive from the capital on the southern tip of the island. Seven nights' self-catering at Agnes Beach, including flights from Luton with easyJet, costs £403pp with Tui, departing on July 9. Coach transfers in Corfu and a 23kg checked bag are included. Rooms are simply decorated with white and lemon walls, tiled floors, pine furniture and floor-to-ceiling windows leading onto a private balcony or terrace. Each one has a kitchenette for rustling up meals or stashing sundowner drinks and there are several supermarkets within walking distance. There's no restaurant on site but a pool bar has breakfast and snacks. Other places to eat nearby include the beachfront Roussos, which has been serving Greek and seafood dishes for over 100 years (mains from £6; and Tomata, which specialises in Corfiot cuisine (mains from £15; The hotel is right next to Kavos beach with its miles of golden sand, warm shallow water and snack bars. A water sports kiosk offers kayaks, jet skis, banana boats and pedalos (from £8; The main Kavos Strip is a few minutes' walk away for bars, nightclubs and shops, and there's a bus and taxi rank right outside the hotel for exploring further afield. Corfu's family-run Olive Oil Museum is half an hour away for an insight into the island's 500-year-old history of olive oil extraction, plus sampling (£7; On the way back, stop at the Pontiglio Winery, which also has a small museum and produces wine from Corfu's unique grape varieties including kakotrygis (tastings from £13; Take bus B1 for a day trip to the capital, Corfu Town (£4; Ruled by the Venetians for four centuries and guarded by two fortresses, it's a charming Italian-influenced maze of arched colonnades, shaded piazzas and cobbled alleyways lined with ice-cream parlours. Duck inside St Spyridon's Church to see its frescoes, red bell tower and the silver casket of the island's patron saint of the same name (entry free), then climb the towers of the town's 14th-century fortress, Palaio Frourio, to look over the bay towards Albania (£8). The island's northern coast is best for hiking. Marked trails cross the pine-cloaked mountains and skirt hilltop villages such as Lakones and Makrades, leading down to quiet coves for cooling off. Pass the 13th-century monastery at Palaiokastritsa and head to the glass-fronted Dolce Café for homemade yoghurt and honey ice cream with the island's best sunset views (£4; Palaiokastritsa Rd). This article contains affiliate links, which can earn us revenue • Return Luton-Corfu flights, departing on July 9• Coach transfers• 23kg hold luggage• Seven nights' self-catering at Agnes Beach ( Feeling flush? If you're inspired by Corfu, and have more to spend, try one of these: Just six miles north of Corfu Town, Palapart Gikas hotel is in the smaller resort of Gouvia with its marina, mainly shingle beaches and upmarket waterside restaurants. Rooms are light and airy with white walls and furniture and zippy turquoise accents. All have kitchenettes and balconies, and there are also family rooms, swim-up rooms and two-bedroom apartments. The hotel has three outdoor pools including one for children, a small gym and a snack bar serving breakfast. The beach and centre of Gouvia are both about a ten-minute walk away, while Palaiokastritsa is a 20-minute Seven nights' self-catering from £837pp, including flights, coach transfers and hold luggage ( The adults-only Domes Miramare, a Luxury Collection resort, was once owned by the Onassis family and is now a high-end resort on its own 650m shingle beach on Corfu's eastern coast, half an hour south of Corfu Town. Surrounded by a centuries-old olive grove, it has three restaurants including one with its own sushi bar, several pools, a tennis court and a lavish spa modelled on ancient Greek baths. There's also a private yacht for decadent day trips. Chic minimalist rooms in earthy shades are either by the beach or built on a hill overlooking the Ionian Sea and many have an outdoor hot tub or private pool. Details Seven nights' B&B from £1,420pp, including flights and hold luggage (
RNZ News
24-05-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Historic three-masted sailing ship to begin new chapter in Northland
The Tui started shedding planks from its hull several years ago, damage that was accelerated by Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf A derelict Northland landmark with a vivid history - it has variously been a restaurant, a shipwreck museum laden with treasure, and the target of a notorious criminal - is about to get a new life as a marine education centre. The Tui , a three-masted sailing ship, has been a feature of the Waitangi waterfront since the late Kelly Tarlton bought the historic vessel and used it to house his finds from a lifetime of exploring shipwrecks. Later it became a popular eatery known as Shippey's, but for the past decade it has been empty, an increasingly sorry sight in the estuary next to Waitangi Bridge. The tops of its masts have been removed and the hull has started shedding planks, a decline accelerated by Cyclone Gabrielle. Now, however, the waterfront icon appears to have been saved and is set to embark on a new life. The Tui in its heyday as Kelly Tarlton's Museum of Shipwrecks in 1976. Photo: Archives New Zealand/ G Riethmaier Kerikeri-based TriOceans marine research institute announced this week that it had started restoring the vessel for use as a community space and marine education facility. TriOceans describes itself as a "collective of scientists and innovators" focussed on marine mammal science and marine education, weaving together mātauranga Māori and modern scientific methods. It's just the latest chapter in the ship's long and intriguing history. Ask when the Tui was built and you'll get a range of answers, from 1890 to 1913. What's not disputed is that it was built for Chelsea Sugar to transport refined sugar from the then- isolated outpost of Birkenhead across the Waitematā Harbour to the docks at Auckland. It was one of seven purpose-built, kauri-hulled lighters, which are flat-bottomed vessels resembling a barge or scow. Work has started to bring the Tui back to its former glory. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf The construction of Auckland Harbour Bridge in 1954, however, meant the lighters were no longer needed. The last one was sold in 1961. Most were converted into pleasure boats or floating homes, but one caught the eye of Kelly Tarlton. Scuba diving pioneer Kelly Tarlton created The Tui to house the treasures he had found under the sea. Photo: Supplied A scuba diving pioneer, Tarlton was also one of New Zealand's most passionate and successful treasure hunters. In the early 1960s he moved to Northland's Tutukākā Coast to be close to the spectacular waters of the Poor Knights Islands. One of the first shipwrecks Tarlton explored was the Elingamite , a passenger steamer that sank at the Three Kings Islands in 1902 with a large consignment of gold and coins on board. The Tasmania , which went down off Mahia Peninsula in 1897 with a suitcase full of jewels, was the subject of another lucrative expedition. Eventually Tarlton needed somewhere to display his growing collection of treasures wrestled from the sea. The Tui was just what he was looking for. With typical Tarlton ingenuity and enthusiasm he set about converting an ungainly 30-metre barge into an elegant, three-masted barque. The kauri masts were salvaged from the Endeavour II , a Canadian sailing ship that came to grief on the Parengarenga Bar, near North Cape. Tarlton's Museum of Shipwrecks was an instant success when the first visitors crossed the gangplank in 1970. It became a must-see attraction in the Bay of Islands and helped pay for his ongoing ventures. After Tarlton died in 1985, aged just 47, his wife Rosemary kept his ship of treasures open for another 15 years. In the year 2000 disaster struck in the unexpected form of kitchenhand Keith Anthony McEwen. Shortly before 8pm on 8 April, while visitors were still in the museum, staff discovered a glass vault had been plundered of an estimated $300,000 worth of gold, jewellery and coins. McEwen, then aged 23 and employed in the museum kitchen, vanished around the same time, leaving his clothing and girlfriend behind. It wasn't long before he was named as the prime suspect. McEwen was eventually caught and sentenced to 7½ years' jail, but never revealed where he had hidden the treasure. Police and private investigators made many attempts to find it, even searching his childhood eeling spot near Moerewa. Years later, an associate claimed McEwen stole the treasure on behalf of a gang and never got a cut, but that story has never been verified. McEwen disappeared again after he was released in 2005. He spent some time holed up on Kawau Island, then returned to public attention in the most disturbing way possible. On 10 November, 2006, a Dutch couple sleeping in their van at Haruru Falls were accosted by two men pretending to be police. The honeymooners were handcuffed at gunpoint, then driven around the Mid North for six hours while the men withdrew money using their bank card. One of the men subjected the woman to a sexual assault so horrific the details are permanently suppressed by court order. The two men were arrested on 21 November as a result of what police described as a combination of information from the public, CCTV footage, forensics, and old-fashioned legwork. The main offender was none other than Keith McEwen. In February 2007 he admitted two charges of aggravated robbery, two of kidnapping, five of sexual violation, and one each of rape, attempted stupefaction and using the couple's bank card. He was sentenced to preventive detention, which means he will be released only when he is deemed to no longer be a risk. McEwen was denied parole for the eighth time in April last year . His accomplice, Christopher Mana Manuel, pleaded guilty to lesser charges the following month. The Tui, once Kelly Tarlton's Museum of Shipwrecks, has fallen into disrepair since its on-board restaurant closed more than 10 years ago. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf McEwen's heist - and the insurance company's refusal to pay out on a technicality - spelt the end of Tarlton's Museum of Shipwrecks. Rosemary Tarlton delayed selling the Tui until she believed she'd found the right buyers, but by 2003 she was confident her search was complete. The new owners, a Kerikeri couple, had a vision of transforming the Tui into a bar and café they called Brown Sugar, a nod to the ship's beginnings as a sugar lighter. The restaurant went through a number of incarnations, operators and names, until it eventually became Shippey's, a popular spot on summer evenings for fish and chips on the deck. Shippey's closed down in 2014 amid a breakdown in the relationship between the boat owners and the business operators. Plans to reopen the vessel as an eatery were scuppered by the Covid pandemic. Since then it has deteriorated badly. The most obvious sign of its decline is the planks that have fallen from its port side. The ship's poor condition has not gone unnoticed by the Northland Regional Council, the local maritime authority. The Tui at low tide in Waitangi Estuary. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf Harbourmaster Jim Lyle said the Tui was regarded as a coastal structure rather than a ship, because it was permanently mounted on blocks. However, it was still being monitored by the council to ensure debris from its hull did not create a shipping hazard. Lyle said the Tui was originally a flat-bottomed, barge-like vessel. When it was converted to a museum, Tarlton had steel framing built around it, which was then planked over. The planks that were falling off were cosmetic in function and not part of the original vessel, he said. An artist's concept: The TriOceans marine research institute have started work toward turning the old Tui three masted sailing ship into a marine education centre. Photo: Supplied/ TriOceans TriOceans bought the vessel last year, saying the organisation planned to restore the "iconic old sugar boat in line with Kelly Tarlton's original vision". This week that vision came a step closer to reality with TriOceans announcing on social media it had received funding for the restoration from Foundation North, formerly the ASB Community Trust. A team from Kerikeri-based Hawke Property Developments had started the job of returning the Tui to its former glory. TriOceans said the location, in the rich waters of the Bay of Islands a stone's throw from the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, was perfect for a marine education centre. "We aim to make local marine life and conservation education accessible to all, working alongside local kaitiaki, community leaders, and passionate educators to build this iconic ship up to its fullest potential," the organisation said. It's a fresh chapter in the fascinating story of the Tui , offering hope the ship will remain a landmark on the Waitangi waterfront for many years to come. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
