Kestrel - queen of a new harbour

Operator Mike Colosimo with the Kestrel at her new home on Tauranga's waterfront, complete with glassed-in dining pontoon. Picture / Alan Gibson

The 100-year-old Kestrel - last working survivor of Auckland's historic ferry fleet - has had a multi-million-dollar makeover.

She begins her second century as a classy floating restaurant and bar at her new mooring off the Tauranga city waterfront.

What makes the 39m Kestrel different from other boats making culinary waves in New Zealand is the adjoining two-level glass construction built on a 24m-long steel pontoon.

Combining historic appeal with the strikingly modern, the new restaurant can seat 400 diners. After last night's official launch, Kestrel at the Landing will be open to the public for lunch and dinner seven days a week.

The project has had the thumbs up from hundreds of people wandering through for a look as the finishing touches have been made over the last few days. The consensus seems to be "it's exactly what this town needs."

Operator Mike Colosimo said no expense had been spared, and the project cost about $3 million.

"If it hadn't been done properly, it could have been an eyesore on the harbour."

The restaurant, with its choice of seating inside or out, on the boat or in the "glasshouse", brought "another dining dimension to Tauranga", said Mr Colosimo, who has interests in seven other restaurant-bars in the area.

Tauranga businessman Mark Scapens bought the rundown Kestrel two years ago to become the centrepiece of the city's harbour edge redevelopment project along The Strand.

The idea of adding the huge pontoon was Mr Colosimo's.

His company Cervino Investments, with business partners John Harvey and Peter Barthos, has a 10-year-lease to operate Kestrel at the Landing.

As far as possible the charming old ferry's original features have been preserved in the refit.

Built of kauri sheathed in totara, she had to have flooring replaced but still has the old engine room, wheelhouse, gas lanterns, anchors, ropes and lifebuoys.

Modern-day regulations have required updates such as stainless steel kitchens.

The purpose-built pontoon, bolted to the ferry for stability, has 24m-long flotation cylinders which largely negate any swell. Apart from some "bobbing up and down with the tide," diners should not expect much motion, Mr Colosimo said.

The Kestrel

* Built at Chas Bailey & Sons' yard in Auckland in 1905.

* Served on the Waitemata Harbour for 98 years.

* Still has the diesel engine fitted in 1950 on her conversion from steam power.

* Now a floating restaurant in Tauranga, and already attracting bookings for weddings, birthday parties and conferences.