21/05/2026
🕰️Today in QIKT history🕰️ - On 22 May 1926 the Waikana gave its last trip for the Peninsula Ferry Company.
The Waikana was once a harbour ferry, built in Ōtepoti in 1909 for the Peninsula Ferry Company. It visited QIKT many times, bringing visitors for many community events. In 1926 the Waikana conducted its last trip for the Company.
In 1928, the Waikana was bought by Robert (“Bob”) Cunningham Miller, who lived and worked on QIKT at the time.
In 1938, the Waikana was brought back into the spotlight when the New Zealand Post Office selected it to feature on its series of historic ferry stamps.
You can now see the remains of this ship alongside the QIKT jetty, where it makes a good perch for many of the island’s feathered friends.
Please remember that today this spot is for feathered friends ONLY - keep off!
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Research credits:
‘Quarantine Island/Kamau Taurua (St Martin Island)– A Short History’ by Lyndall Hancock, 2008
Quarantine Island Kamau Taurua. https://quarantineisland.org.nz/
Evening Star, Issue 23053, 3 September 1938, Page 21 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ESD19380903.2.156
Image credits:
1 - Rawson, S. H. (1909-1916). Waikana [View of the steam ferry boat Waikana departing from a harbourside wharf showing its starboard side and stern, with many passengers visible along the vessel's railings and decks and two onlookers shown watching the vessel depart from the wharf]. Hocken Collections.
2 - Otago Daily Times, Issue 27206, 8 October 1949, Page 9 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ODT19491008.2.149.1
3 - Evening Star, Issue 23053, 3 September 1938, Page 21 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ESD19380903.2.156
4 - Rawson, S. H. (1909-1916). Waikana [View showing the port side and bow of the steam ferry Waikana underway, with many passengers visible along the vessel's railings and decks and harbour wharves and buildings shown in the background]. Hocken Collections.
