Waiheke hiccup

Waiheke Island residents were left high and dry after ferry company Explore Group was forced to postpone the launch of its new service.

An “unusual mechanical noise” in the ferry’s engine caused the cancellation of its scheduled first crossings yesterday, throwing the travel plans of hundreds into chaos.

Managing director William Goodfellow said: “It is a really disappointing turn of events because everyone has worked so hard to get to that point and to have to postpone was devastating.”

Goodfellow says reaction from residents to the postponement has been positive.

“Waiheke residents understand that this is just an unfortunate and frustrating situation.”

But Mandy Brown, who commutes five days a week into Auckland city from the island, said it was not a good look for Explore Group.

“I’m sure Fullers are having a good laugh,” she said.

She was in favour of more than one ferry company operating from the island, she said.

Former television broadcaster John Hawkesby lives on Waiheke and said he, too, was in favour of more competition.

“Although Fullers does a very good service, they have a captive market and there’s no competition so we have to dance to their tune, so any competition is welcome,” he said, adding that was true for most commuters.

Explore Group expects to have the vessel running within a few days.