Customs new patrol boat a world-class vessel

The Hawk V.

Customs officials are getting a new patrol boat.

Minister Nicky Wagner says it's a world-class vessel, and will reinforce and enhance the protection of New Zealand's maritime border.

It would be locally-designed, purpose-built, and equipped with state-of-the-art electronics.

Wagner said the new vessel would boost Customs' capabilities to identify risk and carry out enforcement work beyond our territorial waters.

The new boat would be based in Auckland and have a crew of four Customs officers with specialist maritime expertise.

It was expected to be on the water by next year or the following year and would replace Hawk IV, which had been in service for 18 years.