Bay of Islands gains overnight luxury cruiser

Cruising the protected blue waters of New Zealand’s island-studded Bay of Islands has taken on a new dimension with the arrival of the cruise ship Ipipiri.

Prime Minister John Key was at the small Northland port of Opua last Friday (4.09.09), along with official guests and a large crowd of excited locals and school children, to launch the Ipipiri - a 46-metre, five-storey catamaran.

Purpose-built in Australia, the sleek 60-berth cruiser will specialise in overnight cruises.

$12 million investment
Operated by Fullers GreatSights Bay of Islands - a division of the Intercity Group - the Ipipiri represents a NZ$12 million investment in the Northland region.

The vessel was commissioned in 2008, and constructed in Hobart. The project was four years in the planning.

"Ipipiri is a beautiful ship and her arrival more than meets our expectations," InterCity chief executive Malcolm Johns said.

The Ipipiri would attract more visitors to the area and help entice tourists to stay longer - giving tourists more of an opportunity to experience the wider Northland region, Johns said.

Local cuisine
The catamaran’s on-board facilities include 30 state rooms, a spacious sundeck, and a 70-seat restaurant and bar.

Each stateroom has panoramic views, a king-sized bed that can convert to twin beds, and a full ensuite bathroom. The accommodation occupies two decks.

There is also engine deck accommodation for nine crew members.

The top deck features a spacious sundeck, and the indoor / outdoor restaurant and bar area can host up to 110 people for cocktail functions, weddings or presentations.

The restaurant will serve local produce and traditional kiwi dishes.

Described as very stable, the boat is powered by two V12 twin turbo MTU engines, each producing 788KW (1,000 horse power).

M
ori name
‘Ipipiri’ is the M
ori name for the Bay of Islands, and means to raft up or bring together.

The name was gifted by local M
ori groups - the Patu Keha and Ngati Kuta sub-tribes - to the owners. The vessel will spend most of its time in their tribal waters.

M
ori representatives took part in the launch function, and Opua Primary School children performed traditional M
ori songs.

Strong bookings
Cruise itineraries will vary according to climatic conditions, and the boat will anchor overnight in one of three locations.

The first cruise will leave this Saturday (12.09.09).

Bookings from domestic and international tourists already indicate Ipipiri will have a strong 2009 - 2010 summer season, according to the owners.

Northland, New Zealand
Only three hours by car, or a 40-minute flight from Auckland, Northland is a significant New Zealand tourism destination with around 1.7 million visitor nights each year.

About 1000 people are employed in the tourism industry in New Zealand's Far North.

Seventy percent of visitors are from overseas.