Tenix on tenterhooks over Government contract

A Whangarei shipbuilding firm, forced into two rounds of redundancies this year, is hoping to land a multi-million-dollar Government contract.

Tenix Whangarei is one of only two New Zealand companies vying for the $500 million New Zealand Navy patrol boat contract, Project Protector.

The contract is for new ships including two 35m inshore patrol ships, two 85m offshore patrol ships and a 130m multi-role ship.

National Party defence spokesman Simon Power said the successful tender was expected to be announced early next year but that might be too late for Tenix.