Waiheke ferry row: Fullers, residents, politicians argue over troubled service

Sunday, 9 June 2019

Locals from across Waiheke Island gathered at Morra Hall in Oneroa in June to listen to what Fullers had to say about their concerns with the ferry service to and from Auckland city (Video first published October 2019).

Commuters of a troubled ferry service have received an apology from the operator's chief executive at a packed meeting to address long-running issues.

Waiheke Island residents have expressed anger over reduced winter services to and from Auckland's CBD, long queues, delays and cancelled services.

Mike Horne, head of Fullers360 which runs the service, told residents he was aware, was 'deeply concerned' and regretted that the company had not met people's expectations.

The meeting, called by Fullers, was packed to the rafters with Waiheke locals.

'We realise that we could listen better, and we are committed to doing that,' he told the meeting at the island's Morra Hall on Sunday afternoon.

**READ MORE:

Fullers360 currently has a monopoly over the ferry service from Auckland City to Waiheke.

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* MP calls urgent meeting over 'significant tension' on Waiheke Island ferries

Residents from across Waiheke Island gathered at the hall to discuss the ferry problems on Sunday.

* Waiheke Island ferry users say 'enough is enough'**

The meeting, chaired by former Waitakere mayor Sir Bob Harvey, was well attended with several police officers manning the exits.

Fullers360 chief executive, Mike Horne, says he is 'deeply concerned' Fullers has not been meeting Waiheke local's expectations.

Questions by members of the public were met with cheers, rapturous applause and at times, rigorous foot-stomping.

One resident questioned why the ferry from Auckland to Gulf Harbour was about $10 cheaper than the Waiheke ferry when it was a longer trip.

Fullers is the only part of the Auckland public transport network exempt from transport regulator oversight.

Horne said other ferry services were subsidised but the ferry to Waiheke was not.

National's Auckland Central MP Nikki Kaye agreed the ferry service needed to be brought under AT's control.

The service is the only part of the Auckland public transport network exempt from transport regulator oversight, which ensures competitive tendering and prescribed levels of service.

One local said her family had spent about $30,000 on ferry tickets in the past 30 years, but when ferries were cancelled, there were no penalties for Fullers or rebates for passengers.

'There are no consequences, we are paying through the nose for this service … and we don't even get a rebate.'

On Saturday, Auckland councillor Chris Darby launched a petition calling for the ferry service to be brought under Auckland Transport's control.

National Party MP Nikki Kaye backed that call, adding: 'There has to be change, we need to have fairer fares.'

'I am of the view that their [Fullers] exempt status needs to be lifted. It's my strong view that either the minister [of transport] needs to do that or it needs to be done voluntarily by Fullers in conjunction with NZTA and Auckland Transport.'

She said a huge number of residents and tourists travelled to Waiheke from Auckland on a service that had 'major issues' such as cancellations and delays.

'We need to have greater guarantees of service, they need to be reliable, frequent and safe. The prices are astronomical for Waiheke,' she said.