[2][3] She was launched at Henry Niccol's North Shore yard[4] in Auckland on 27 March 1867.

[5] Tauranga was a kauri-built, twin screw, 70 ton dwt, top-sail schooner,[6] built for Bay of Plenty Steam Navigation Co.[6] Engines and other fitting out works were done by Fraser & Tinne's Phoenix Foundry at Mechanics Bay.

Tauranga's engines had a jet condenser 20-inch (510 mm) cylinders, an 18-inch (460 mm) stroke and ran at 25 psi (170 kPa) to produce 30 to 35 hp (26 kW)[4] and, although only designed for 7kn,[7] she achieved a trial speed of 8 kn (15 km/h; 9.2 mph)[4] She was built for the Auckland-Tauranga-Opotiki service, but also followed the 50 mi (80 km) Auckland–Thames route.

With the exception of the imported shaft forgings, all the machinery was built by Phoenix Foundry, the first marine condensing engines constructed in the colony.

[4] Tauranga sank, somewhere in Bream Bay, after a night-time collision on 23 July 1870 with an unlit ketch, Enterprise, with the loss of all 5 passengers and 14 crew.