New Chatham Islands ship to operate from late-2027

A ship in this image's likeness will be the new vessel to service the Chatham Islands. Photo / Supplied

A new vessel to service the Chatham Islands, replacing the ageing Southern Tiare, will be on the water by late 2027.

It is the latest development in a long-running struggle for Chatham Islands residents to secure a reliable transport link to the mainland after repeated breakdowns threatened fuel supplies and restricted farmers from offloading stock.

Associate Transport Minister James Meager today confirmed the Government had selected a joint venture of McCallum Bros and Nova Marine Carriers SA as the preferred supplier from nine proposals to build a new 78m vessel “designed to meet the needs of the Chatham Islands”.

The final cost of the vessel wasn’t yet available with contract negotiations ongoing. About $24 million remained in the $35.1m fund the Government set aside in Budget 2022 to find a replacement.

A 3D render image of the new ship that will carry supplies between the Chatham Islands and the mainland. Photo / Supplied

It was expected the ship would be operational in the second half of 2027. The Government had previously acknowledged a replacement for the Southern Tiare was needed by March next year as repair costs would then be unaffordable.

The vessel would be required to make a minimum of 14 trips to the Chatham Islands per year, which was a lower frequency than the Southern Tiare.

However, it was expected the vessel would be able to carry more stock and the number of visits would grow alongside the population.

Meager welcomed the “practical, future-focused proposal”, which he said would ensure a “reliable service”.

“It also gave us the greatest confidence a new ship can be delivered in-budget before the current vessel retires, without substantial upgrades required to existing infrastructure.

“Due to the unreliability of the Southern Tiare we’ve seen examples of petrol running out, diesel supplies nearly exhausted and livestock unable to be moved, resulting in widespread culls.

“This deeply impacts livelihoods and wellbeing and must be resolved.”

Adam Pearse is the Deputy Political Editor and part of the NZ Herald’s Press Gallery team based at Parliament in Wellington. He has worked for NZME since 2018, reporting for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei and the Herald in Auckland.