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“Even with a 37.1 percent cancellation rate in March, it still had over 10,000 boardings,” he says. “Addressing operator reliability will see that number quickly climb again, making it a substantial carbon saver.

AT should be recovering and enhancing the service. It’s not about making money – it’s about the public and environmental good.”

Among those at the meeting were residents who bought houses in the area because of the ferry. The ferry service has been marketed by developers and real estate agents for 20 years.

Hopper Developments is in the early stages of subdividing Hobbs Bay farm in Gulf Harbour. Its chief executive, Andy Grey, says Hoppers will make a submission because the ferry is a substantial amenity for residents.

“Like Beachlands or Pine Harbour –without it, there would be a substantial commute,” he says. “It’s also a lifestyle, low-stress option, preferred by many.”

He says the proposal may drag locals back to driving.

“Penlink also provides huge amenity, but extra cars will put more strain on the Constellation Drive bottleneck.” org was put up on July 5 and has more than 4500 signatures. However, when it comes to AT’s decision making, large numbers of submissions on the proposal are key.

A ‘Petition to Save the Ferry’ on Change.

The Gulf Harbour Ferry Facebook group, with nearly 1500 members, swung into action to protect a service that they believe in and love, despite its current unreliability. Spokesperson Tessa McGuire says the service gets cars off the road and is an essential transport option. The group’s focus is making people aware of the issue and encouraging submissions.

Submissions are open until August 17. Info and feedback can be made at AT.govt.nz/rptp

A second public meeting on the proposal will be held this week on Wednesday, July 26, at Gulf Harbour Yacht Club, 7pm.

The carbon equation

AT’s proposal

AT says it will only remove the ferry when the following are in place: • Ō Mahurangi Penlink, which Waka Kotahi expects to be completed at the end of 2026. • Whangaparāoa Bus Station built – this ‘kiss and ride’ is currently unfunded. The site, on the corner of Cedar Terrace and Whangaparāoa Road (opposite New World) has drainage issues. • Bus improvements: NX2 routed to Whangaparāoa Bus Station – every 7.5 mins peak, 15 mins off peak; a new route 99 Gulf Harbour to Whangaparāoa Bus Station, every 7.5 mins peak, 15 mins off peak; Bus 983 cut back to terminate at Whangaparāoa bus station (currently goes to Hibiscus Coast station).

• “The ferry makes a big contribution to the reduction of carbon emissions,” Cr John Watson says. “A full ferry is better than a fleet of buses.” • AT says no ferry, less carbon emissions. But those figures only work if there are no hybrid vessels available for the Gulf Harbour route in future, all buses go electric (expected to be 2030), and current ferry users all catch the bus. • AT’s figures say: Gulf Harbour ferry consumes 3280 tonnes of CO2 per annum; per trip it is the most carbon intensive in the Auckland fleet, due to the length of route and power needed in open water. • It calculates that while people who use electric buses instead of the ferry will create no net increase in CO2, and those that drive to Whangaparaoa Bus Station will create “minimal extra CO2”, those that drive to the city will create “substantial extra CO2”.

Kiwi Magic appears on Tindalls Bay rocks

It could have been a sorry end for former America’s Cup boat NZL 20, also known as Kiwi Magic, when it washed up on the rocks in Tindalls Bay on July 17.

Residents took to social media with concerns about the possibility of the boat breaking up.

However, it proved less dramatic than feared, as the owner was able to remove water from inside the vessel and re-float it on the high tide the same evening. For more than a decade, the boat was at Gulf Harbour marina and the marina eventually seized it.

Last year it was sold by the marina, and has been anchored off Tindalls Bay for some weeks. Queenstown community newspaper Mountain Scene reported last November that Auckland yachtie Mike Parker had purchased NZL 20. The boat was designed by Bruce Farr, and has a double strut keel and no rudder, which was innovative at the time and led to it being described as “a skiff on steroids”. It was sailed in the 1992 challenge for the America’s Cup. The team was managed by Sir Peter Blake and skippered by Rod Davis. It made the Louis Vuitton Challenger finals but eventually lost.

NZL 20 is currently back at anchor off Tindalls Bay, coincidentally directly opposite the home of former America’s Cup skipper Russell Coutts.

Hibiscus Matters was unable to contact the boat’s owner for comment.