The lease on a key piece of New Zealand’s transport infrastructure – and regular carrier of trucks – has been renewed.
Government owned Interislander has this week announced the decision to renew the lease on the Kaitaki ferry for another four years.
“Kaitaki has been our flagship since her arrival in 2005 and is the largest passenger ferry in New Zealand,” says Interislander general manager Thomas Davis.
“With capacity for up to 60 trucks on each night sailing, and some trucks during daily passenger journeys, Kaitaki has been relied upon to carry time sensitive deliveries between North and South Island such as perishable goods, urgent courier shipments and retail products,” Davis notes. “She has served us very well over the last eight years.”
Interislander originally took out a five year lease on the 1650 passenger, 550 car capacity ferry from European owners Irish Continental Group in 2005, with an option for a three year extension in June 2010. This option was taken up and the lease was extended until 30 June 2013.
