M.V. Waireka
M.V. Waireka
Name Meaning: Contented
Type: Motor Vessel
Propulsion: 1 Screw in Tunnel
Year Built: 1908
Builder: Yarrow & Co. Scotstoun, Glasgow
Dimensions: Length 62ft 7in, Beam 6ft 5in, Depth 2ft 6in (As built)
Gross Tons:  6.3 (As built)
Registered Tons: 4.7 (As built)
Machinery: 1 Thornycroft Oil 45 BHP (As built)
                  (Various engines since)
Section Of River: Houseboat to Taumarunui
Fate: The Waireka was sold in December 1958 to Mr H.A. Davey of Tangahoe for carrying wool down to Pipiriki and for the tourist trade. As the tourist trade had fallen off at Pipiriki, Mr Davey brought the Waireka down river to Wanganui in October 1960, had it painted in Hatricks old colours to run on excursions to Hipango Park. The Waireka had many changes of ownership while in Wanganui until 1985, when it was bought by Vance Crozier. He operated it on the Whanganui River until he moved it up to Taupo to run a new attraction on the Waikato River in 1989. New safety regulations came in 1998 and the Waireka required thicker bottom plates to pass its survey. It was taken out of service, sent down to Wanganui and stored on the Putiki Slipway, where its bottom plates were removed to stop it from filling with water. It was later arranged to store the Waireka at the old Balgownie landfill, until it was moved back to Taupo in early 2000 where restoration began by Shane Jones and Tom York. The Waireka was launched onto the Waikato River on 3rd October 2005 and is now owned by Shane and Ngaire Jones.
M.V. Waireka
M.V. Waireka
M.V. Waireka
M.V. Waireka
M.V. Waireka
M.V. Waireka
M.V. Waireka
Below are photos of M.V. Waireka, click them to see the enlarged version.
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M.V. Waireka at her  mooring in Taupo 1996.
M.V. Waireka leaving Taumarunui 1910's.
M.V. Waireka being assembled 1908.
M.V. Waireka passing Pipiriki wharf 1950's.
M.V. Waireka leaving Wanganui 1960's.
M.V. Waireka at Huka Falls, Taupo 1994.
M.V. Waireka at an up-river landing 1940's.
M.V. Waireka on the Putiki Slipway 1999.
M.V. Waireka
M.V. Waireka
M.V. Waireka
M.V. Waireka
M.V. Waireka on the Waikato River 2006.
M.V. Waireka during restoration in May 2004.
M.V. Waireka on the Waikato River 2006.
M.V. Waireka at the Balgownie Landfill 2000.