Photo: Interislander Ferry New Zealand

Passengers board the Interislander Ferry to go back and forth between Picton and Wellington in New Zealand.

To go between the destinations of Picton and Wellington on the South and North Island of New Zealand, one will board the Challenge Kaitaki which is a Interislander Ferry. The Challenger Kaitaki ferry was built in 1995 and holds as many as 1,660 passengers, 600 cars and has 132 beds on board.

Ths interislander ferry is the largest of its fleet that provides service between the North and South Islands of New Zealand. This vessel was in use in a variety of other locations and has been renamed a number of times.

It was not until April of 2007 that the ferry was named the Challenger and brought to New Zealand to serve as the interislander ferry. Added to name Challenger was Kaitaki which is what it would be in Maori language. All the interislander ferries are blessed with Maori names and the Challenger was officially renamed the Kaitaki shortly after arriving in New Zealand.

The ferry has all the amenities that one requires on route such as food and beverages, entertainment, children's areas, lounges, nurseries and lockers. ... continue below the picture...

... The journey between the North and South Islands of New Zealand is about ninety-two kilometers which is about a three hour timespan.People have said that the interislander ferry ride aboard the Kaitaki is one of the most scenic and beautiful crossings in the world.

The Challenger Kaitaki, Interislander Ferry, in the Tory Channel, Queen Charlotte Sound, South Island, New Zealand.