Prime Minister Christopher Luxon saw Whangārei company McKay’s electric ferries in Samoa

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has viewed Samoa’s low-carbon boats, produced by a Whangārei company, during his Pacific trip this week.

McKay recently delivered Project E-Alia: a fleet of five electric catamarans powered by solar and batteries, enabling low-carbon transport in Samoa for the first time.

The boats were described as transforming inter-island travel for the islands of Manono and Namu’a, where fuel is scarce and pollution is a fear.

McKay managing director Lindsay Faithfull joined the Prime Minister-led trade delegation to Samoa and Tonga this week, alongside other business, art, sport and community leaders.

On Monday, Luxon visited Port Apia to see the E-Alia vessels operating.

He praised McKay for helping deliver resilience and growth in the Pacific.

“New Zealand is uniquely positioned to support the Pacific’s strategic infrastructure goals,” he said.

“New Zealand companies like McKay – alongside others focused on developing meaningful, long-term partnerships in the Pacific – are delivering vital infrastructure that is driving resilience and growth across the region.”

Project E-Alia was funded by a United Nations Development Programme called Climate Action Pathways for Island Transport: a Japanese fund to support decarbonisation in countries impacted by climate change.

Faithfull said his invitation to join the PM’s delegation recognised McKay’s long-standing work in the Pacific, as well as its future focus.

Vice Chief of Defence Force Rear Admiral Mathew Williams (left), McKay's Lindsay Faithfull (centre) and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon check out one of Samoa's E-Alia, built by McKay.

“The Pacific has been an important part of McKay’s story for more than five decades.

“Our relationships in the region are built on trust, partnership and delivering infrastructure that genuinely makes a difference to people’s lives.”

McKay had delivered complex infrastructure projects in Fiji, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Rarotonga, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu, helping support essential services and connect communities, he said.

Faithfull said the delegation was also a chance to celebrate the vibrancy of connections between Samoa and New Zealand.

The delegation included All Blacks legend Savae Sir Michael Jones and Whangārei MP Dr Shane Reti in his role as Pacific Peoples Minister.

The electric vessels built by Whangarei company McKay are considered a success story for Samoa.

Luxon was bestowed with a traditional matai title, Tuisinavemaulumoto’otua, which he said cemented his relationship with Apia.

New Zealand and Samoa also signed arrangements between their police and customs departments to bolster action against drug trafficking.

The delegation finished in Tonga on Wednesday.

Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.