Boat brief
Fullers ferries
Auckland ferry company Fullers360 has launched a bold initiative for greater prioritisation of ferry planning. The Gulf 2025 initiative – Unifying the Hauraki Gulf – calls for commercial and public collaboration and investment across the Hauraki Gulf to meet Auckland’s exponential population and visitor growth.
It details the extensive benefits of ferry travel to Auckland: decreased road traffic congestion, reduced carbon emissions, increased productivity and contributions to the economy, a boost in tourism spending – and improved social and community connectivity and well-being. These benefits were identified in research by the NZ Institute of Economic Research (NZIER), commissioned by Fullers360.
Auckland’s population is anticipated to reach two million by 2029, and ferry passenger numbers are forecast to reach 8.59 million by 2025 – up from the 6.16 million who travelled the Hauraki Gulf in the year to March 2018.
Fullers360 CEO, Mike Horne, says while growth in ferry patronage is exciting, it means increased pressure on the fleet and wharf infrastructure across Auckland – and on commuters and visitors.
“Currently, Auckland does not have the infrastructure to support the numbers expected in 2025 – nor the large-scale events we’re hosting before then, such as America’s Cup in 2021,” says Horne. “We require more vessels, more routes and improved wharf infrastructure to cater to these numbers.”
To service this growth, Auckland will need to invest in new commuter and visitor routes and greater frequency on current routes in under-served, high-growth areas, such as Hobsonville Point. Gulf 2025 also calls for a tourist-style hub for ferries in the Wynyard Quarter area, increased servicing areas for commercial craft and more innovative, custom-built vessels.
“Our ambition is to invest in a larger, more effective waterbased transport network that expands the commuter offering and supports the Auckland tourism sector,” says Horne.
“With our vision for Gulf 2025, the forecast passenger numbers could be much, much bigger, and benefit many more Aucklanders living and working around the Gulf in high growth areas who currently don’t have access to water-based travel, because it doesn’t exist.
“Fullers360 is committed to developing a strategy with partners and competitors who have a shared interest in actively shaping the future use of the Hauraki Gulf. Catering to forecasted growth is a complex challenge, calling for investment into Auckland beyond central and local government spending.”
The initiative has gained general support for a working group with key Auckland decision makers including Auckland Tourism, Events & Economic Development (ATEED), HLC, Panuku, Tourism NZ, Chambers of Commerce, and Mcmullen & Wing.
NZIER’S RESEARCH SHOWS:
Auckland ferries enable transport and reduce congestion, worth $16.6 million to the Auckland economy. This is equivalent to nearly 300,000 hours saved each year for Auckland road commuters. Compared to road travel, on average across Fullers360’s key routes, distance by ferry is 10.3 km less and saves 20.2 minutes.
Auckland ferries reduced transport’s carbon emissions by nearly 5,640 tonnes for the year to March 2018. The reduction is a result of people taking Fullers360 ferries instead of driving their cars – ferries provide a more environment-friendly way to travel.
Auckland ferries drive tourism spend within Hauraki Gulf. It’s estimated that international visitors who took a ferry spent an average of $1,400 more on their trip compared to those who stayed on the mainland. This equates to a total increased spending of $684 million.
Fullers360 contributed $13.5 million directly to Auckland’s economy in the year ending March 2018. Beyond its service output, Fullers360 supports growth in other sectors, through the goods and services it uses – approximately $44.3 million in the same year. BNZ