Renovated Tamahere ready to brave the waves

When Environment Waikato wanted to spend more than $800,000 on a new river barge instead of fixing the old one, Kim McKenzie said "no way".

The no-nonsense regional council harbour master maintained there was life in the old girl yet and suggested he could do all the repair work the Tamahere needed for a fraction of the $800,000 estimate, with the help of some EW colleagues.

"I said there's no way they are spending ratepayers' money when they don't have to," Mr McKenzie told the Waikato Times.

Early estimates show his initiative has saved the council, and ratepayers, about $700,000.

"The old barge got checked out for its marine survey and failed, but I thought it still had a few more years in it," Mr McKenzie said.

The 24-metre, 6.7-metre wide Tamahere, which is at least 50 years old, was used for work along the Waikato and Waipa rivers such as clearing trees and blockages, maintaining flood protection schemes and removing potential hazards.

It has been out of commission since late last year.

The repairs, which cost about $100,000, started in March.

Cambridge-based Mr McKenzie, who is a qualified mechanical engineer, hired cranes to flip the barge upside down. Next it was sandblasted and had its steel work fixed. Welding and painting followed.

"I just wanted the opportunity to see if we could refurbish it and because I like a challenge, Mr McKenzie said.

"My thing is, I've always considered ratepayers my priority and bugger everyone else.

"I'm a ratepayer, too, and I just thought we didn't have to spend that kind of money."

The barge is now back in the water near Tuakau, and thanks to Mr McKenzie and his team's work, has a marine survey certificate to operate until 2014.