Stuff.co.nz

The classic New Zealand racing yacht Tawhiri is returning home to Nelson, following an announcement that wealthy businessman Tom Sturgess has bought the historic yacht and plans to lease it for $1 each year to a trust so young people can take part in sailing.

Tawhiri was once owned by the late Noel Brown, who was a member of the family which co-founded Nelson's Anchor Shipping and Foundry Company. The 75-year-old yacht, which is currently in North Otago, will become the centrepiece of a recreational sailing venture for young people in the Nelson region.

A trust is being set up to restore and run the historic yacht.

Project Tawhiri was launched Tuesday night at the Nelson Yacht Club by Doug McKee, who has been driving the project since its inception at last year's 150th anniversary of the yacht club.

'Tawhiri will be an active boat for the youth of Nelson,' Mr McKee said.

Mr Sturgess, a Nelson-based American businessman, said he bought the yacht to support the trust's desire to be involved in youth sailing in Nelson.

The Nelson Mail understands he bought the yacht for slightly less than the $40,000 asking price.

Mr Sturgess said Tawhiri would be leased to the trust for $1 a year, and the trust would be obligated to keep the boat maintained.

'It's nifty being able to do this. I like old stuff - I like old motorbikes and old boats,' he said. 'Tawhiri is part of Nelson's waterfront, and it's just the right place for it.'

Mr McKee said that weather permitting, the yacht would be sailed home within the next couple of months to be overhauled during winter, ready for sailing in spring.

The 11m racing yacht made New Zealand coastal racing history when it won the 1940 Lyttelton to Wellington Centennial race.

Tawhiri's successful defence of the title in 1951, while sailing from Wellington to Lyttelton, was over-shadowed by a storm that killed 10 men, with the loss of two yachts amid chaos in the fleet.

The Nelson yacht, skippered by Mr Brown and crewed by Nelson men Peter Cooke, John Evans and Charlie Paterson, was the only boat to officially finish the race. All have since died.

Mr Brown's widow Velma Brown, on Tuesday night, joined Elaine Cooke and Leonie Paterson in presenting to the trust some historic memorabilia from the yacht, including Mr Brown's club commodore's pennant, and two ceramic mugs bearing the Tawhiri pennant he had commissioned during World War 2 while stationed in Italy.