Kaiapoi Ships

Waiotahi


Waiotahi was built by G T Niccol in 1932 as Atua and was the last coaster built by Niccol.

She was bought by the Northern Steam Ship Company in 1934 and renamed Waiotahi 2.

She worked the Bay Of Plenty trade until 1960, and was then placed on the Picton–Onehunga run.

Waiotahi was sold to A G Frankham Ltd in 1961, and worked the Auckland–Gisborne run for one year until being sold to the Inter Island Shipping Company as a supplement vessel for Paroto and Ranginui, to replace the withdrawn Taupata. She worked the Kaiapoi–Wellington run with occasional trips to Golden Bay until 6 November 1967, when she landed the last cargo at Kaiapoi, a consignment of butter from Takaka.

She was sold to Mr F Fawcett-Kay for trading around Solomon Islands.

Waiotahi was scuttled in the centre of Rabaul Harbour , Solomon Islands, in October 1973 due to deterioration of the hull and action of teredo worm.

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