10 Apr 2018

Wahine survivors reflect on disaster during 50th anniversary

From Morning Report, 8:28 am on 10 April 2018

As we've been reporting, it is 50 years today since the Wahine went down in Wellington Harbour. On Tuesday, many survivors have gathered in Wellington to mark the day. The commemorations started with a moving dawn service in Eastbourne. The service opened with a Karakia Rereku given by Konga Reriti from Waiwhetu Marae. More than 500 people have gathered at Muritai school, to remember those who lost their lives. Among them is Nusara Banytpiyaphod, who was one the ferry as a six-year-old tourist from Thailand and who survived along with five other members of her family. She said it was important for her to come - and to meet the people who helped her that day. Two of those who are meeting to remember the events of half a century ago are Kath Henderson, who was the one of the last people to be rescued, and her rescuer, Peter Ward. They talk to Guyon Espiner.