Explore Group

Explore Group
Company typePrivate
IndustryFerry & tourism company
Founded2001; 23 years ago (2001) in Auckland
Headquarters
Auckland
,
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.[1] Explore operates sailing experiences on former Americas Cup Yachts, excursions and public transport ferry services for Auckland Transport.[2]

History

In 2014 Explore began an Auckland to Waiheke Island service.[3] 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.[4]

Explore began expanding in July 2021 by buying Fullers GreatSights Bay of Islands.[5]

Following the announcement from Fullers Group that on 1 October 2023, ferry services to Birkenhead, Te Onewa/Northcote Pt and Bayswater would be suspended,[6] Explore Group announced on 15 September 2023 that Auckland Transport had contracted them to take over operations of Fuller's cancelled routes[7] - 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[8] 2022[9]
2 year ago 		300[10]
30 bikes 		29m[10] IC22043[11]
Island Explorer Australia Aluminium Marine, Brisbane[12] 2018[13]
6 years ago 		170[14]
40 bikes 		21m[12] IC17050[14] Relocated from the Whitsunday Islands[15]
Discovery IV (D4) New Zealand Q-West, Whanganui[16] 1998[16]
26 years ago 		80[16] 17.1m[16] Relocated from the Bay of Islands[15]
Ngārapa New Zealand Wooden Boat Workshop, Parnell[citation needed] 1996[17]
28 years ago 		55[18] 15[18] Relocated from the Bay of Islands.[18] Previously called Discovery III.[note 1]


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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b "21m Catamaran Passenger Ferry". incatcrowther.com. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  15. ^ a b Williams, Caroline (15 September 2023). "Cancelled Auckland ferry services saved, new operator on board". Stuff. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  16. ^ a b c d "Discovery IV / 18m Passenger Catamaran" (PDF). q-west.com. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  17. ^ Fox, Aaron. "SeapixOnline - Ngārapa". SeapixOnline. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  18. ^ a b c "Our Fleet". Explore Group. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
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