Nicknamed Jock by owner Ross McFaul, owner of Southland-based Hire Frankton, the crane has an almost 50m reach carrying a half-tonne load and the ability to work in confined spaces.
"For a crane of this size and reach it is remarkably quick and efficient to set up," Mr McFaul said in a statement.
Its advantages include it being able to be set up on a roadside or in narrow spaces between buildings, with no traffic disruptions, meaning no requirement for elaborate traffic management plans, he said.
The crane's extension boom and fly-jib have a reverse linkage system which can reach through low door openings and work inside a building, all by remote control.
Initially, the crane will be Christchurch-based, involved in the construction rebuild, maintenance and repair work, plant installation and possibly wind farm blade repair work, before going to Central Otago.
Austrian maker Palfinger said the knuckle-boom was the only one of its type in the southern hemisphere, and Hire Frankton ordered the crane a year ago.
