{{Short description|Ferry in New Zealand}} {{More citations needed|date=April 2025}} {{other ships|Pride of Cherbourg|Isle of Innisfree (ship)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} {{Infobox ship |section1={{Infobox ship/image |image=MV Kaitaki, Wellington Harbour.jpg |image_caption=''Kaitaki'' in [[Wellington Harbour]] }}
|section2={{Infobox ship/career |hide_header= |name=*1995–2002: ''Isle of Innisfree'' *2002–2005: ''Pride of Cherbourg'' *2005: ''Stena Challenger'' *2005–2007: ''Challenger'' *2007 onwards: ''Kaitaki'' |namesake= |owner=[[Irish Continental Group]] (1995–2017), [[KiwiRail]] (2017–) |operator=*1995–2001: [[Irish Ferries]] *2002–2005: [[P&O Ferries]] *2005: [[Stena Line]] *2005 onwards: [[KiwiRail]] |registry=*1995–2002: [[Dublin]], {{flag|Ireland|civil}} *2002–17: [[Portsmouth Harbour|Portsmouth]], {{flag|United Kingdom|civil}} *2017–present: [[Wellington Harbour|Wellington]], {{flag|New Zealand|civil}} |route= [[Wellington Harbour|Wellington]] to [[Picton, New Zealand|Picton]] (from 2005) |ordered= |builder= [[Van der Giessen de Noord]], [[Rotterdam]], Netherlands |original_cost= |yard_number= 963 |way_number= |laid_down=3 August 1994 |launched=1 January 1995 |christened= |completed= |acquired= |maiden_voyage= |in_service=23 May 1995 |out_of_service= |identification=*[[Maritime call sign|Call sign]]: ZMKI *{{IMO Number|9107942}} *{{MMSI Number|512445000}} |fate= |status= In service |notes= <ref name=Asklander>{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/isle_of_innisfree_1995.htm |title=M/S ''Isle of Innisfree'' (1995) |access-date=12 December 2008 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=sv |archive-date=23 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223082857/http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/isle_of_innisfree_1995.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> }}
|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics |hide_header= |header_caption= |type= [[Roll-on/roll-off]] ferry |tonnage=*{{GT|22,365}} *{{DWT|5,794}} |displacement= |length= {{convert|181.6|m|ft|abbr=on}} |beam= {{convert|23.4|m|ft|abbr=on}} |height= |draught={{convert|5.30|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |depth= |decks= 10 |deck_clearance= |ramps= |ice_class= |power=*4 x [[Sulzer (manufacturer)|Sulzer]] Type 8 ZAL 40 S *5,760 kW each at 510 rpm |propulsion=*2 propellers *2 bow thrusters |speed= {{convert|20.5|kn|lk=in}} |capacity=*1,350 passengers *132 passenger berths *600 cars *1,780 [[lane metres]] |crew= 60 |notes= <ref name= "facts">{{cite web |url=http://www.interislander.co.nz/Our-Ships-And-Services/Kaitaki/Facts-And-Figures.aspx |title=Facts and Figures – Kaitaki <nowiki>|</nowiki> Interislander |access-date=12 December 2008 |publisher=Interislander |archive-date=14 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014071340/http://www.interislander.co.nz/Our-Ships-And-Services/Kaitaki/Facts-And-Figures.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> }} }}
'''''Kaitaki''''' is a [[roll-on/roll-off]] [[ferry]] built in 1995. It previously operated under the names, '''''Isle of Innisfree''''', then '''''Pride of Cherbourg''''', '''''Stena Challenger''''' and '''''Challenger'''''. As of 2008, ''Kaitaki'' was the largest ferry operating the ''[[Interislander]]'' service between the [[North Island|North]] and [[South Island|South]] Islands of [[New Zealand]] having taken her latest name in 2007. [[KiwiRail]], the operator of the [[Interislander]] service, bought the ''Kaitaki'' in 2017.
==History== The ship was built at [[Van der Giessen de Noord]] shipyard in the [[Netherlands]], and was launched in 1995 as the ''Isle of Innisfree'' for the [[Irish Ferries]] route between [[Port of Holyhead|Holyhead]] and [[Dublin]]. Subsequently she served on the [[Pembroke Dock]] – [[Rosslare Europort|Rosslare]] route between 1997 and 2001.<ref name=Asklander /><ref>Crossing the Cook Strait ''[[Ships Monthly]]'' July 2022 page 65</ref>
In 2002 the ''Isle of Innisfree'' was chartered by [[P&O Ferries]] and was sent to [[Falmouth, Cornwall|Falmouth]] in July of that year for refit. She emerged as ''Pride of Cherbourg'', the third ship to carry this name. ''Pride of Cherbourg'' entered service in September 2002. [[File:PrideofCherbourg.jpg|thumb|left|''Kaitaki'' under her previous name ''Challenger'' in [[Wellington Harbour]]]] ''Pride of Cherbourg''{{'}}s last crossing for P&O was on 14 January 2005, from Cherbourg to Portsmouth. P&O subchartered her to Stena Roro and she sailed for [[Gdańsk]], where all her exterior P&O branding was removed and she was renamed ''Stena Challenger''. The ''Stena Challenger'' sailed on Stena Line's [[Karlskrona]]—[[Gdynia]] service from February until June 2005.<ref name=Asklander />
After completing her service with [[Stena Line]] she was sub-chartered again, to [[KiwiRail]].<ref name=Scoop>{{cite web|url=http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=12660|title=Three more years for Interisland ferry|publisher=Wellington.Scoop|access-date=2009-10-04|archive-date=25 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925224815/http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=12660|url-status=live}}</ref> Before leaving for New Zealand her name was shortened to ''Challenger'',<ref name=Asklander /> with its [[Māori language|Māori]] translation, ''Kaitaki'', also appearing on its bow, being used for marketing purposes (the other two Interislander ferries at the time, ''[[Arahura]]'' and ''[[Aratere]]'', had Māori names). In April 2007 the ship was renamed ''Kaitaki''.<ref name=Asklander /> Like the ''[[Kaiārahi]]'' she is an Interislander ferry without a rail deck for the transport of railway wagons.<ref name=TVNZ>{{cite web|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/content/2479724?cfb3=3|title=Strait ferries weigh on government books|publisher=[[Television New Zealand]]|access-date=2009-10-04|archive-date=5 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005185347/http://tvnz.co.nz/content/2479724?cfb3=3|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2009, it was announced that the initial five-year lease would be extended.<ref name=Scoop/> The lease was renewed again on 16 April 2013 until 2017 with the option to extend another three years thereafter.<ref name=Stuff>{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/8560001/KiwiRail-to-renew-Kaitaki-lease|title=KiwiRail to renew Kaitaki lease|date=16 April 2013 |publisher=marlborough-express|access-date=2013-12-05}}</ref> In May 2017, KiwiRail purchased the ''Kaitaki'' outright from the [[Irish Continental Group]].<ref>{{cite news |title=KiwiRail buys the Kaitaki passenger ferry 'to secure future of Cook Strait link' |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11857875 |access-date=17 May 2017 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=17 May 2017 |archive-date=17 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517190434/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11857875 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>KiwiRail buys Interislander ferry Kaitaki ''[[Track & Signal]]'' August 2017 page 35</ref>
==Incidents== Over the years the vessel has had a number of incidents.
Overnight on June 20 2013, during a storm, ''Kaitaki'' snapped its moorings at its Wellington Berth and suffered light damage. It remained in the harbour until the next day. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/porirua/8821569/Power-out-for-thousands-in-region|title=Power out for thousands in region|publisher=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|author=<!--staff, no byline-->|date=20 June 2013|access-date=10 August 2025}}</ref>
On the evening of 28 January 2023, ''Kaitaki'' suffered an incident where she lost power (including propulsion) around 5pm for several hours. However, the ship managed to anchor safely, did not encounter any further danger, and power was eventually restored to the vessel later that night.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/483269/tug-boats-escorting-interislander-to-wellington-after-ferry-loses-power|title=Tug boats escorting Interislander to Wellington after ferry loses power|publisher=[[RNZ]]|author=<!--staff, no byline-->|date=28 January 2023|access-date=30 January 2023|archive-date=29 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129114050/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/483269/tug-boats-escorting-interislander-to-wellington-after-ferry-loses-power|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Transport Accident Investigation Commission]] launched an investigation due to the incident's impact on transportation safety, and to make recommendations to prevent future incidents.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/commission-opens-inquiry-into-interislander-ferry-kaitaki-mayday/P2JBKHFNLZAWNPOM7YQ4Q5WHNU/|title=Commission opens inquiry into Interislander ferry Kaitaki mayday|publisher=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=29 January 2023|access-date=30 January 2023|archive-date=30 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130035719/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/commission-opens-inquiry-into-interislander-ferry-kaitaki-mayday/P2JBKHFNLZAWNPOM7YQ4Q5WHNU/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Commission identified that a major cause of the loss of power was the rupture of a rubber expansion joint in the engine cooling system, which had been neither installed nor maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's guidance; a preliminary report was issued on 4 May to ensure that their safety recommendations would be applied more widely.<ref>{{cite web |title=Final Preliminary Report: Maritime inquiry MO-2023-201 Passenger vessel Kaitaki Loss of power Cook Strait, New Zealand 28 January 2023 |url=https://taic.org.nz/sites/default/files/uploads/MO-2023-201%20Final%20Preliminary%20Report%20-%20publish.pdf |publisher=Transport Accident Investigation Commission |access-date=15 December 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250129142217/https://taic.org.nz/sites/default/files/inquiry/documents/MO-2023-201%20Final%20Preliminary%20Report%20-%20publish.pdf |archive-date=29 January 2025 |location=Wellington}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Molyneux |first1=Vita |title=Interislander Kaitaki ferry failure caused by failure of expired ‘safety critical’ equipment |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/interislander-kaitaki-ferry-failure-caused-by-failure-of-expired-safety-critical-equipment/LEUBHDVSDZHFFMT52BIOYKFUPM/ |access-date=15 December 2025 |work=New Zealand Herald |date=4 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250827094316/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/interislander-kaitaki-ferry-failure-caused-by-failure-of-expired-safety-critical-equipment/LEUBHDVSDZHFFMT52BIOYKFUPM/ |archive-date=27 August 2025 |location=Auckland}}</ref>
[[Maritime New Zealand]] filed a charge against KiwiRail in January 2024 for violating the Health and Safety at Work Act in the loss-of-power incident. The [[Maritime Union of New Zealand|Maritime Union]] backed the decision to pursue legal action against [[KiwiRail]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=James |first1=Nick |title=Maritime NZ files charge against KiwiRail following Kaitaki mayday call |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/507003/maritime-nz-files-charge-against-kiwirail-following-kaitaki-mayday-call |access-date=9 September 2024 |work=[[RNZ]] |date=18 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240622022054/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/507003/maritime-nz-files-charge-against-kiwirail-following-kaitaki-mayday-call |archive-date=22 June 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> On 9 September 2024, KiwiRail agreed to pay a fine of NZ$432,500 to Maritime NZ for exposing passengers to risk when the ''Kaitaki'' lost power in late January 2023.<ref>{{cite news |last1=James |first1=Nick |title=KiwiRail sentenced for ferry losing power in Cook Strait |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/527493/kiwirail-sentenced-for-ferry-losing-power-in-cook-strait |access-date=9 September 2024 |work=[[RNZ]] |date=9 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909042132/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/527493/kiwirail-sentenced-for-ferry-losing-power-in-cook-strait |archive-date=9 September 2024}}</ref>
On the evening of 9 August 2023, ''Kaitaki'' was exiting Wellington Harbour where she experienced steering issues and was forced to return to berth, with a small number of passengers spending the night onboard. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/495485/passengers-spend-night-on-board-after-steering-problems-on-kaitaki-ferry|title=Passengers spend night on board after steering problems on Kaitaki ferry|publisher=[[RNZ]]|author=<!--staff, no byline-->|date=10 August 2023|access-date=10 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250818060947/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/495485/passengers-spend-night-on-board-after-steering-problems-on-kaitaki-ferry |archive-date=18 August 2025}}</ref>
''Kaitaki'' features vehicle loading doors at the bow and the stern, allowing vehicles to drive on and off. In August 2023 the bow door was damaged by rough seas.<ref>{{citation|title=Heavy seas damage bow door of Interislander ferry|language=en|work=1News|first1=Jessica|last1=Swan|date=2023-08-21|access-date=2025-08-08|url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/08/22/heavy-seas-damage-bow-door-of-interislander-ferry/}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category-inline|Kaitaki (ship, 1995)}} * [http://www.interislander.co.nz/Our-Ships-And-Services/Kaitaki.aspx Kaitaki at the Interislander website] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20061231011221/http://www.stenaroro.com/Activities/Archive/Kaitaki.htm Stena Roro – Kaitaki]
{{New Zealand inter-island ferries}} {{P&O ships|stena=no|north=no|irish=no|euro=no|pandoro=no}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kaitaki}} [[Category:Cook Strait ferries]] [[Category:1995 ships]] [[Category:Ships built in Rotterdam]]