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Regular passenger ferries from Auckland to the Matakana Coast and out to Aotea Great Barrier Island could be on the cards if a local marine charter business owner’s plans get support.
Hauraki Express, which is based on the Tawharanui Peninsula and runs water taxi and fishing charters, wants to run specially built twin-hulled boats to carry commuters and visitors between the three destinations.
The ferries would be electric-diesel hybrids with 40 to 60 seats, making them faster, more efficient and environmentally friendly than the large vehicle ferries that currently serve Aotea Great Barrier.
Hauraki Express director Peter Bourke says the idea has been in development for more than a year and the company has already had one boat built that could easily be adapted to carry a passenger cabin.
He envisages ferries running from the city up to Matakana Coast, with potential stops at Kawau, Sandspit, Snells Beach and/or Omaha, then running out to Aotea, with another ferry going straight to Aotea and returning down the coast. Trips would take one hour up to Mahurangi or two to Aotea.
“Matakana Coast on its own is probably more economical than Great Barrier, but combine the two and the scheduling starts to work and has a far greater reach, and it is far more worthwhile than just targeting one hotspot,” he said during a presentation to Rodney Local Board last month. “We believe it’s got to be all or nothing.”
He added that Great Barrier’s population was increasing, and the island was in danger of being left isolated with a limited ferry and flight timetable.
Bourke said Hauraki Express was ready and able to provide the new services, but it was looking for backing to underwrite the risk.
“We’re a private enterprise wanting to provide a new public transport service. We can fund what we’re proposing, but for our financiers, we do need some certainty,” he said.
“We wouldn’t go it alone. Fullers and SeaLink are being heavily susidised, so why shouldn’t this service be subsidised?”
However, Bourke admitted that the timing of his bid for the new service was far from ideal, with Council budgets stretched and existing ferry services around Auckland and the gulf being slashed. Auckland Transport’s (AT) interim chief executive, Mark Lambert, has told Bourke that AT is unable to support potential public transport or tourism services not included in the Regional Public Transport Plan and there were no plans, or funding, to cover the provision of any new ferry services outside the current network.
While disappointed, Bourke still believes in the proposed new service and plans to persevere.
“If I was a smart person, I’d probably give it up at this stage, but I think there’s a great need for it,” he said.
“I think the politicians need to pick it up and realise that we’ve got a responsibility for the outer gulf, enhanced by opportunity for a ferry to the Matakana Coast, and that needs to be included in AT’s remit.
“I’ll keep it ticking along. With the way the economy is going and the message that seems to be coming from Council to cut back rather than expand services, it’s got a long way to go.
“I reckon it will happen, though, and I think we’re well qualified to do it. We’re local, our boats are NZ-made, we’re a family company and I think we’re well regarded. This could be a real opportunity.”
