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Explore Group

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Ferry & tourism company in New Zealand and Australia

Explore Group
Company typePrivate
IndustryFerry & tourism company
Founded2001; 24 years ago (2001) in Auckland
HeadquartersAuckland, New Zealand
Area served
Key people
  • William Goodfellow
ParentMoturua Properties Limited
Divisions
Websiteexploregroup.co.nz

Explore Group Limited is a ferry and tourism company located in New Zealand and Australia. The company operates in the Bay of Islands, Whitsunday Islands, Hauraki Gulf and Waitematā Harbour. Explore operates sailing experiences on former Americas Cup Yachts, excursions and public transport ferry services for Auckland Transport.

History

In 2014 Explore began an Auckland to Waiheke Island service. However, in 2016, plagued by infrastructure and passenger number issues, the company was forced to end the service, leaving Fullers Group the sole passenger ferry company operating services to the island.

Explore began expanding in July 2021 by buying Fullers GreatSights Bay of Islands.

Following the announcement from Fullers Group that on 1 October 2023, ferry services to Birkenhead, Te Onewa/Northcote Pt and Bayswater would be suspended, Explore Group announced on 15 September 2023 that Auckland Transport had contracted them to take over operations of Fuller's cancelled routes - marking Explore's reentry into the public transport industry.

Auckland Vessels

Main article: List of Auckland ferries
edit
Name Image Shipyard Launched Capacity Length Class/type Notes
Tuhi Rapa Australia Aluminium Marine, Brisbane 2022
3 year ago 		300
30 bikes 		29m IC22043
Island Explorer Australia Aluminium Marine, Brisbane 2018
7 years ago 		170
40 bikes 		21m IC17050 Relocated from the Whitsunday Islands
Discovery IV (D4) New Zealand Q-West, Whanganui 1998
27 years ago 		80 17.1m Relocated from the Bay of Islands
Ngārapa New Zealand Wooden Boat Workshop, Parnell 1996
29 years ago 		55 15 Relocated from the Bay of Islands. Previously called Discovery III.


See also

References

Notes

  1. For a period of time, there were two ferries called Discovery III (D3), one owned by Explore and one owned by Fullers. Explore's vessel has since been renamed to Ngārapa.

Citations

  1. "Unique Experience in Amazing Places". www.exploregroup.co.nz. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  2. Transport, Auckland. "Ferry good news: Auckland Transport announces Explore Group will operate Bayswater, and Birkenhead / Te Onewa Northcote Point ferry routes". Auckland Transport. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  3. "All aboard Auckland's new ferry service". Scoop News. 2 October 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  4. "Waiheke Island Explore ferry services axed". Stuff. 26 April 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  5. "Explore Group purchases Fullers GreatSights Bay of Islands". Tourism Export Council of New Zealand. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  6. "Auckland ferry services suspended for at least a year". NZ Herald. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  7. "Ferry good news: Auckland Transport announces Explore Group will operate Bayswater, and Birkenhead / Te Onewa Northcote Point ferry routes". Auckland Transport. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  8. "Tuhi Rapa.jpg". commons.wikimedia.org. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  9. "Facebook: Explore - Auckland". Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  10. ^ "Tuhi-rapa: New tourist catamaran arrives in Auckland with precious cargo". nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  11. "29m Catamaran Passenger Ferry". incatcrowther.com. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  12. ^ "ISLAND EXPLORER 21 Metre Ferry". aluminiummarine.com.au. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  13. "Get up and go! Our newest vessel Island Explorer". Instagram. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  14. ^ "21m Catamaran Passenger Ferry". incatcrowther.com. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  15. ^ Williams, Caroline (15 September 2023). "Cancelled Auckland ferry services saved, new operator on board". Stuff. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  16. ^ "Discovery IV / 18m Passenger Catamaran" (PDF). q-west.com. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  17. Fox, Aaron. "SeapixOnline - Ngārapa". SeapixOnline. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  18. ^ "Our Fleet". Explore Group. Retrieved 4 April 2023.

External links

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