Aratere has crossed Cook Strait for the final time after 26 years of service.
The Interislander ferry left Picton at around 11am and arrived in Wellington just after 2pm on Monday.
Tug boats sprayed water into the air as a sign of respect for Aratere.
Tug boats sprayed water as Aratere arrived in Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
Onboard cabin crew were giving out free chocolate cupcakes to passengers with blue icing, with the Aratere stickered on top.
There was also a memory wall set up with blue and yellow balloons and a sign which said "we will miss you".
The ferry is being retired so new port infrastructure can be built for two new ships set to arrive in 2029.
In its time serving the Interislander, the ship has made 53,000 crossings and taken more than five million passengers across Cook Strait.
Onboard cabin crew were giving out chocolate cupcakes to passengers on Aratere's final sailing. Photo: RNZ/Nick James
A memory wall was displayed on the Aratere during the vessel's final sailing from Picton to Wellington. Photo: Nick James
Jon Love was on one of its first sailings in 1999 and was a passenger onboard Monday's journey.
Love said he'll feel sad to see it leave service.
"I've always had a big interest in ferries, particularly our ferries, our rail ferries here in New Zealand, since I was a young boy," he said.
Jon Love was on one of Aratere's first sailings in 1999 Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
"Being able to say I have been on the first and now the last, again its a bit of a mixed bag for me."
He said it would be a loss for the service.
"They are definitely going to feel the loss and from an operational perspective it is going to hit hard."
The Aratere in Picton ahead of its final Cook Strait sailing. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
Lachie Deans and his support worker Scott Wallace made a special trip over to Picton to be on Aratere's last trip.
Lachie said it was a memorable ferry for him.
"I have liked her since I was really young, and it is really sad to see her go after 26 years in service," he said.
Scott said it had been great to talk to crew that have served on Aratere.
NZ Coastguard were among those to farewell the Cook Strait ferry. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
"It is kind of cool chatting to everyone on there and just seeing how sad and happy people are."
Aratere was set to lay in Wellington port till its future was confirmed by KiwiRail.
*KiwiRail provided transport to RNZ for this story.
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