Residents who live on the Chatham Islands are growing frustrated as they await a replacement for their unreliable cargo ship. The 38-year-old Southern Tiare is meant to visit twice a month, however it is prone to breakdowns and infrequently visits. Last year it was taken out for planned maintenance for close to four months.
The Government has promised $30m for a replacement vessel, and work is underway to begin the design process of that. Tony Anderson runs one of the largest farms on the island, and had no choice but to destroy 400 cattle last year because he couldn't get them shipped off. Tony Anderson and Chatham Islands Shipping chairperson Brodie Stevens speak with Kathryn Ryan.
The Chatham Islands. Photo: RNZ / Matthew Theunissen
