New water taxi to ply Lake Rotoiti

A new water taxi will be transporting people across Lake Rotoiti this summer.

Rotoiti Water Taxis launched the ‘‘Mountaineer’’ last week to the sound of Rod Stewart’s Sailing before it was escorted into Kerr Bay by children in kayaks and P-Class yachts.

Owner Hamish Simpson said there was a bit of a ‘‘shindig’’ with about 70 St Arnaud residents who helped to celebrate the arrival of the boat.

It is the first purpose built water taxi for the lake in 23 years.

It will join the seven-passenger Korimako which is nine years old and was originally a Marlborough Sounds Water taxi.