# Kaitaki

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Ferry in New Zealand

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For other ships with the same name, see [Pride of Cherbourg](/source/Pride_of_Cherbourg) and [Isle of Innisfree (ship)](/source/Isle_of_Innisfree_(ship)).

Kaitaki in Wellington Harbour History Name 1995–2002: Isle of Innisfree 2002–2005: Pride of Cherbourg 2005: Stena Challenger 2005–2007: Challenger 2007 onwards: Kaitaki Owner Irish Continental Group (1995–2017), KiwiRail (2017–) Operator 1995–2001: Irish Ferries 2002–2005: P&O Ferries 2005: Stena Line 2005 onwards: KiwiRail Port of registry 1995–2002: Dublin, Ireland 2002–17: Portsmouth, United Kingdom 2017–present: Wellington, New Zealand Route Wellington to Picton (from 2005) Builder Van der Giessen de Noord, Rotterdam, Netherlands Yard number 963 Laid down 3 August 1994 Launched 1 January 1995 In service 23 May 1995 Identification Call sign: ZMKI IMO number: 9107942 MMSI number: 512445000 Status In service Notes [1] General characteristics Type Roll-on/roll-off ferry Tonnage 22,365 GT 5,794 DWT Length 181.6 m (596 ft) Beam 23.4 m (77 ft) Draught 5.30 m (17 ft 5 in) Decks 10 Installed power 4 x Sulzer Type 8 ZAL 40 S 5,760 kW each at 510 rpm Propulsion 2 propellers 2 bow thrusters Speed 20.5 knots (38.0 km/h; 23.6 mph) Capacity 1,350 passengers 132 passenger berths 600 cars 1,780 lane metres Crew 60 Notes [2]

***Kaitaki*** is a [roll-on/roll-off](/source/Roll-on%2Froll-off) [ferry](/source/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](/source/Interislander)* service between the [North](/source/North_Island) and [South](/source/South_Island) Islands of [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand) having taken her latest name in 2007. [KiwiRail](/source/KiwiRail), the operator of the [Interislander](/source/Interislander) service, bought the *Kaitaki* in 2017.

## History

The ship was built at [Van der Giessen de Noord](/source/Van_der_Giessen_de_Noord) shipyard in the [Netherlands](/source/Netherlands), and was launched in 1995 as the *Isle of Innisfree* for the [Irish Ferries](/source/Irish_Ferries) route between [Holyhead](/source/Port_of_Holyhead) and [Dublin](/source/Dublin). Subsequently she served on the [Pembroke Dock](/source/Pembroke_Dock) – [Rosslare](/source/Rosslare_Europort) route between 1997 and 2001.[1][3]

In 2002 the *Isle of Innisfree* was chartered by [P&O Ferries](/source/P%26O_Ferries) and was sent to [Falmouth](/source/Falmouth%2C_Cornwall) 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.

*Kaitaki* under her previous name *Challenger* in [Wellington Harbour](/source/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](/source/Gda%C5%84sk), where all her exterior P&O branding was removed and she was renamed *Stena Challenger*. The *Stena Challenger* sailed on Stena Line's [Karlskrona](/source/Karlskrona)—[Gdynia](/source/Gdynia) service from February until June 2005.[1]

After completing her service with [Stena Line](/source/Stena_Line) she was sub-chartered again, to [KiwiRail](/source/KiwiRail).[4] Before leaving for New Zealand her name was shortened to *Challenger*,[1] with its [Māori](/source/M%C4%81ori_language) translation, *Kaitaki*, also appearing on its bow, being used for marketing purposes (the other two Interislander ferries at the time, *[Arahura](/source/Arahura)* and *[Aratere](/source/Aratere)*, had Māori names). In April 2007 the ship was renamed *Kaitaki*.[1] Like the *[Kaiārahi](/source/Kai%C4%81rahi)* she is an Interislander ferry without a rail deck for the transport of railway wagons.[5]

In 2009, it was announced that the initial five-year lease would be extended.[4] The lease was renewed again on 16 April 2013 until 2017 with the option to extend another three years thereafter.[6] In May 2017, KiwiRail purchased the *Kaitaki* outright from the [Irish Continental Group](/source/Irish_Continental_Group).[7][8]

## 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. [9]

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.[10] The [Transport Accident Investigation Commission](/source/Transport_Accident_Investigation_Commission) launched an investigation due to the incident's impact on transportation safety, and to make recommendations to prevent future incidents.[11] 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.[12][13]

[Maritime New Zealand](/source/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](/source/Maritime_Union_of_New_Zealand) backed the decision to pursue legal action against [KiwiRail](/source/KiwiRail).[14] 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.[15]

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. [16]

*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.[17]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Asklander_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Asklander_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Asklander_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Asklander_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Asklander_1-4) Asklander, Micke. ["M/S *Isle of Innisfree* (1995)"](http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/isle_of_innisfree_1995.htm). *Fakta om Fartyg* (in Swedish). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090223082857/http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/isle_of_innisfree_1995.htm) from the original on 23 February 2009. Retrieved 12 December 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-facts_2-0)** ["Facts and Figures – Kaitaki | Interislander"](http://www.interislander.co.nz/Our-Ships-And-Services/Kaitaki/Facts-And-Figures.aspx). Interislander. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20081014071340/http://www.interislander.co.nz/Our-Ships-And-Services/Kaitaki/Facts-And-Figures.aspx) from the original on 14 October 2008. Retrieved 12 December 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Crossing the Cook Strait *[Ships Monthly](/source/Ships_Monthly)* July 2022 page 65

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Scoop_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Scoop_4-1) ["Three more years for Interisland ferry"](http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=12660). Wellington.Scoop. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090925224815/http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=12660) from the original on 25 September 2009. Retrieved 4 October 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-TVNZ_5-0)** ["Strait ferries weigh on government books"](http://tvnz.co.nz/content/2479724?cfb3=3). [Television New Zealand](/source/Television_New_Zealand). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20121005185347/http://tvnz.co.nz/content/2479724?cfb3=3) from the original on 5 October 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Stuff_6-0)** ["KiwiRail to renew Kaitaki lease"](http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/8560001/KiwiRail-to-renew-Kaitaki-lease). marlborough-express. 16 April 2013. Retrieved 5 December 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["KiwiRail buys the Kaitaki passenger ferry 'to secure future of Cook Strait link'"](http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11857875). *[The New Zealand Herald](/source/The_New_Zealand_Herald)*. 17 May 2017. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170517190434/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11857875) from the original on 17 May 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** KiwiRail buys Interislander ferry Kaitaki *[Track & Signal](/source/Track_%26_Signal)* August 2017 page 35

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Power out for thousands in region"](https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/porirua/8821569/Power-out-for-thousands-in-region). [Stuff](/source/Stuff_(website)). 20 June 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Tug boats escorting Interislander to Wellington after ferry loses power"](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/483269/tug-boats-escorting-interislander-to-wellington-after-ferry-loses-power). [RNZ](/source/RNZ). 28 January 2023. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230129114050/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/483269/tug-boats-escorting-interislander-to-wellington-after-ferry-loses-power) from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Commission opens inquiry into Interislander ferry Kaitaki mayday"](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/commission-opens-inquiry-into-interislander-ferry-kaitaki-mayday/P2JBKHFNLZAWNPOM7YQ4Q5WHNU/). [The New Zealand Herald](/source/The_New_Zealand_Herald). 29 January 2023. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230130035719/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/commission-opens-inquiry-into-interislander-ferry-kaitaki-mayday/P2JBKHFNLZAWNPOM7YQ4Q5WHNU/) from the original on 30 January 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Final Preliminary Report: Maritime inquiry MO-2023-201 Passenger vessel Kaitaki Loss of power Cook Strait, New Zealand 28 January 2023"](https://web.archive.org/web/20250129142217/https://taic.org.nz/sites/default/files/inquiry/documents/MO-2023-201%20Final%20Preliminary%20Report%20-%20publish.pdf) (PDF). Wellington: Transport Accident Investigation Commission. Archived from [the original](https://taic.org.nz/sites/default/files/uploads/MO-2023-201%20Final%20Preliminary%20Report%20-%20publish.pdf) (PDF) on 29 January 2025. Retrieved 15 December 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Molyneux, Vita (4 May 2023). ["Interislander Kaitaki ferry failure caused by failure of expired 'safety critical' equipment"](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/). *New Zealand Herald*. Auckland. Archived from [the original](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/interislander-kaitaki-ferry-failure-caused-by-failure-of-expired-safety-critical-equipment/LEUBHDVSDZHFFMT52BIOYKFUPM/) on 27 August 2025. Retrieved 15 December 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** James, Nick (18 January 2024). ["Maritime NZ files charge against KiwiRail following Kaitaki mayday call"](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/507003/maritime-nz-files-charge-against-kiwirail-following-kaitaki-mayday-call). *[RNZ](/source/RNZ)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240622022054/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/507003/maritime-nz-files-charge-against-kiwirail-following-kaitaki-mayday-call) from the original on 22 June 2024. Retrieved 9 September 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** James, Nick (9 September 2024). ["KiwiRail sentenced for ferry losing power in Cook Strait"](https://web.archive.org/web/20240909042132/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/527493/kiwirail-sentenced-for-ferry-losing-power-in-cook-strait). *[RNZ](/source/RNZ)*. Archived from [the original](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/527493/kiwirail-sentenced-for-ferry-losing-power-in-cook-strait) on 9 September 2024. Retrieved 9 September 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Passengers spend night on board after steering problems on Kaitaki ferry"](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). [RNZ](/source/RNZ). 10 August 2023. Archived from [the original](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/495485/passengers-spend-night-on-board-after-steering-problems-on-kaitaki-ferry) on 18 August 2025. Retrieved 10 August 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Swan, Jessica (21 August 2023), ["Heavy seas damage bow door of Interislander ferry"](https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/08/22/heavy-seas-damage-bow-door-of-interislander-ferry/), *1News*, retrieved 8 August 2025

## External links

Media related to [Kaitaki (ship, 1995)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Kaitaki_(ship,_1995)) at Wikimedia Commons

- [Kaitaki at the Interislander website](http://www.interislander.co.nz/Our-Ships-And-Services/Kaitaki.aspx)

- [Stena Roro – Kaitaki](https://web.archive.org/web/20061231011221/http://www.stenaroro.com/Activities/Archive/Kaitaki.htm)

v t e New Zealand inter-island and Cook Strait ferries Current Cook Strait Wellington-Picton ferries Kaiārahi Kaitaki MV Connemara MV Livia Former Cook Strait (Wellington–Picton) ferries Aratere Arahanga Arahura GMV Aramoana GMV Aranui MV Aratika Condor Vitesse Incat 046 MS Santa Regina Strait Feronia MV Straitsman (2005) MV Straitsman (1972) MV Suilven Former inter-island (Wellington–Lyttelton) ferries SS Penguin TEV Rangatira (1931) Rangatira (1971) TSS Wahine (1913) TEV Wahine (1966) Companies Bluebridge KiwiRail Union Company Services Interislander

v t e Ships of P&O Current fleet English Channel Spirit of Britain Spirit of France P&O Pioneer P&O Liberté Irish Sea European Causeway European Highlander2 North Sea Norbank Norbay Pride of Hull Pride of Rotterdam v t e Former fleet Atlantic Freighter Baltic Ferry Berrima Bison Bore Mari Brave Merchant Buffalo Calibur Celtic Star Cerdic Ferry Cherbourg Express Coromandel 1 Coromandel 2 Doric Ferry Egypt Envoy Equine European Ambassador European Clearway European Diplomat European Endeavour 1 European Endeavour 2 European Enterprise European Envoy European Freeway European Freighter European Highlander 1 European Highway European Leader European Mariner European Navigator European Pathfinder European Pathway European Pioneer European Seafarer European Seaway European Tideway European Trader 1 European Trader 2 Europic Ferry Express Free Enterprise V Free Enterprise VI Free Enterprise VII Global Carrier Global Freighter Ibex Jetliner Landi Lehola Leopard Lion Max Mols (Caen Express) Merchant Brilliant Merchant Valiant Norcape Norcove Nordic Ferry Norland Norsea Northern Star Oriental P&OSL Aquitaine P&OSL Calais P&OSL Canterbury P&OSL Dover P&OSL Kent P&OSL Picardy P&OSL Provence Panther PO Aquitaine PO Calais PO Canterbury PO Dover PO Kent PO Provence Portsmouth Express Pride of Ailsa Pride of Aquitaine Pride of Bilbao Pride of Bruges 1 Pride of Bruges 2 Pride of Burgundy Pride of Calais Pride of Canterbury 1 Pride of Canterbury 2 Pride Of Cherbourg 1 Pride of Cherbourg 2 Pride of Cherbourg 3 Pride of Cherbourg A Pride of Cherbourg II Pride of Dover Pride of Flanders Pride of Free Enterprise Pride of Hampshire Pride of Hythe Pride of Kent 1 Pride of Le Havre 1 Pride of Le Havre 2 Pride of Portsmouth Pride of Provence Pride of Rathlin Pride of Sandwich Pride of Suffolk Pride of Walmer Pride of Winchester Pride of York Puma Rodona RR Triumph Sapphire Southern Carrier Stena Cambria Stena Empereur Stena Fantasia Stena Royal Stena Shipper SuperStar Express Tidero Star Tor Futura Ursine Vega Viking Trader Viking Valiant Viking Venturer Viking Viscount Viking Voyager 1,2,3 - Denotes order in which different vessels carried the name

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Kaitaki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaitaki) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaitaki?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.