A Viking warship moored in Tauranga Harbour will embark on a return voyage to Europe this week on top of a shipload of onions.
The Rusich Pychy is a Russian replica of a traditional slavic longboat.
Tauranga Bridge Marina manager Tony Arnold said the owners lived in Russia, where it was eventually headed after an around-the-world trip. The boat made its way to Tauranga after being loaded on to a ship in Australia this month. It is understood the Rusich sailed from Vladivostock as a tribute to Russian scientist and explorer Nicholas Miklouho-Maclay, who moved to Australia in 1878.
The Rusich will be deck cargo on the Flevogracht freighter, which will be filled with onions and bound for Europe.