The $24 million catamaran, the MV Titiroa, is undergoing sea trials off the coast of Wanganui.
Built in 15 months by Q-West boat builders, the MV Titiroa is the culmination of five years of planning and research by owners Real Journeys.
But one of the biggest challenges facing the company is getting the vessel down to its Doubtful Sound operations later this month.
The vessel weighs about 55 tonnes, is almost 24-metres in length, 7.5m wide and is destined for the Lake Manapouri crossing. Once the vessel has travelled by sea to Bluff, via Lyttleton, it must be lifted out of the water and have its wheelhouse roof and propellers removed for road transportation.
Significant planning and engineering has been undertaken for the road trip and launch at Lake Manapouri, because there are no established launching facilities.