[1][2] Built by the Ferguson Brothers firm in Port Glasgow, Scotland, she was able to reach a maximum speed of 12.414 knots (22.991 km/h; 14.286 mph) during her sea trials.

After a brief period of painting and preparation for service, on 18 September she was handed over to the harbour board, serving not just as the harbor's tug but also as its pilot boat and as a fireboat.

After Waimarino unloaded the 750 passengers of Rangatira, Lyttelton along with the assistance of another Union Company vessel, Karitane, helped the ferry float free at high tide.

[1] Following the beginning of World War II, in 1942 the tug was requisitioned for service by the Royal New Zealand Navy, being armed with Bren guns and depth charges, and given the prefix HMNZS Lyttelton of a commissioned warship.

[1][3] Lyttelton is one of three operating steam-powered ships in New Zealand, alongside the tug William C Daldy in Auckland and TSS Earnslaw on Lake Wakatipu.