Northland-based shipbuilder Tenix announced yesterday it will build modules for a 10th Anzac frigate in Whangarei.
The decision provides some medium-term job security for 85 workers - half the number employed a year ago - at the Australian company's yard in Whangarei. Work in the city on modules for the 10th
frigate is due to last until the third quarter of 2003.
In May Tenix laid off about 40 workers while a review was undertaken of when and where ship 10 would be built. At the time, company spokesman Liam Bathgate said the 10th vessel did not have to be finished until 2006, and Tenix had limited capacity for storing large hull modules.
But yesterday he said that after a review of the remainder of the Anzac programme Tenix was very happy to give work on the modules for ship 10 to Whangarei. Part of the reason for the decision was that Tenix had a commitment to the New Zealand and Australian Governments to achieve certain levels of local content, he said.
The modular construction method used made it effective and efficient to construct frigate modules at a couple of sites.
Asked if there had been moves to have the work done in Australia, particularly as New Zealand was not buying a third frigate, Mr Bathgate said he did not think there had been any "real resentment" in Australia.
"You get people from time to time saying it would be good if we got more jobs here (Australia).
"But New Zealand had contributed significantly to the Anzac project and was entitled to some of the work", he said.
- NORTHERN ADVOCATE