The last sailing of the Rangatira brought to an end more than 80 years of regular passenger ferry services between Lyttelton and Wellington.
Ferries
Events In History
15 August 1951
The TSS Wahine was chartered by the New Zealand government to transport Kayforce troops to the Korean War. Shortly after leaving Darwin it ran aground on Masela Island in the Arafura Sea, east of Timor.
Articles
Cook Strait rail ferries
On a fine, calm day ‘Cruising on the Interislander’ can be like a luxury Mediterranean cruise. But on a bad day Cook Strait can be one of the world's roughest stretches of water: seasickness, dodgy food and wildcat strikes have all been part of the colourful Cook Strait ferry story. Read the full article
Page 1 - Cook Strait rail ferries
On a fine, calm day ‘Cruising on the Interislander’ can be like a luxury Mediterranean cruise. But on a bad day Cook Strait can be one of the world's roughest stretches of water:
Page 2 - 'The floating bridge'
Before 1962 rail struggled to compete with ships for inter-island business, but the road/rail ferries changed that.
Page 3 - 'An array of awful pies'
In the 1960s, the ferries' food and services fell short of the glossy ads, but now they are more
Page 4 - Rough crossings
Crossing Cook Strait is often idyllic, but it can be one of the world’s roughest stretches of water as it's part of the westerly wind belt known as the Roaring
Page 5 - Branding the Cook Strait ferries
From 'puke' green to funnells sprouting ferns, the ferries' branding and appearance have had many changes.
Page 7 - Fast ferries on Cook Strait
The old fable about the tortoise and the hare was replayed on Cook Strait as fast ferries offered travellers a quick dash across the
Page 8 - Sailing into the 21st century
The new century brought mixed fortunes for Cook Strait’s ‘iron
Lyttelton-Wellington ferries
For more than 80 years the overnight Lyttelton ferry was a vital link in the country's transport network. Read the full article
Page 1 - Lyttelton-Wellington ferries
For more than 80 years the overnight Lyttelton ferry was a vital link in the country's transport
Page 2 - Key dates
See a list of the key events in the life of the Lyttelton–Wellington ferry
Page 3 - The early years
Although many ships sailed between Lyttelton and Wellington during the course of their longer voyages, a regular passenger service between those ports took time to
Page 4 - Politicians and ferries
Politicians used the ferries to travel between their electorates and Wellington, so they scrutinised the Union Steam Ship Company's management of the
Page 5 - Cabins de luxe and glory holes
The purpose-built Maori of 1907 was a big leap forward, but description of the cabins was limited to ‘well endowed with spring mattresses and superior bed coverings' – no
Page 6 - Just like clockwork
Every night, weather and sea conditions permitting, two ships crossed in the night at about 1.25 a.m. off the Kaikoura coast as perhaps 1500 New Zealanders passed quite
Page 7 - Officers and gentlemen?
Some of the ferry masters – each known as ‘the Old Man' to the crew – were almost as well known as the ships themselves.
Page 8 - In strife and war
The Lyttelton–Wellington ferries were such a vital link for travellers that they were given priority whenever strikes or lockouts paralysed the wharves, but wars disrupted the
Page 9 - End of the line
In the face of competition from other forms of transport the Union Steam Ship Company abandoned its glamour ferry service, sending the Maori to the scrappers in
Page 10 - Ferry tales
Some people tell their stories of travelling on the Lyttelton–Wellington
Merchant marine
On 3 September New Zealand honours Merchant Navy Day. Here we explore the little-known but vital role played by the merchant marine during the First World War, when these civilian seafarers often found themselves in the front line of the war at sea. Read the full article
Page 5 - The Wahine's wanderings
Most requisitioned ships continued to carry people or cargo. One Union Company ship, however, entered the Royal Navy and bore the prefix HMS. The Wahine was no ordinary
Main image: Rangatira ferry poster
By the time the second Rangatira entered service in
1972, overnight voyaging no longer appealed to many people.
