Explore Group

Explore Group Limited is a ferry and tourism company located in New Zealand and Australia. The company operates in the Bay of Islands, Whitsunday Islands, Hauraki Gulf and Waitematā Harbour.^[1] Explore operates sailing experiences on former Americas Cup Yachts, excursions and public transport ferry services for Auckland Transport.^[2]

Explore Group

Company type	Private
Industry	Ferry & tourism company
Founded	2001; 24 years ago (2001) in Auckland
Headquarters	Auckland , New Zealand
Area served	Auckland Bay of Islands Whitsundays
Key people	William Goodfellow
Parent	Moturua Properties Limited
Divisions	Explore New Zealand Explore Australia Fullers GreatSights Bay of Islands
Website	exploregroup.co.nz

History

In 2014 Explore began an Auckland to Waiheke Island service.^[3] However, in 2016, plagued by infrastructure and passenger number issues, the company was forced to end the service, leaving Fullers Group the sole passenger ferry company operating services to the island.^[4]

Explore began expanding in July 2021 by buying Fullers GreatSights Bay of Islands.^[5]

Following the announcement from Fullers Group that on 1 October 2023, ferry services to Birkenhead, Te Onewa/Northcote Pt and Bayswater would be suspended,^[6] Explore Group announced on 15 September 2023 that Auckland Transport had contracted them to take over operations of Fuller's cancelled routes^[7] - marking Explore's reentry into the public transport industry.

Auckland Vessels

Main article: List of Auckland ferries

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Name	Image	Shipyard	Launched	Capacity	Length	Class/type	Notes
Tuhi Rapa		Aluminium Marine, Brisbane[8]	2022[9] 3 year ago	300[10] 30 bikes	29m[10]	IC22043[11]
Island Explorer		Aluminium Marine, Brisbane[12]	2018[13] 7 years ago	170[14] 40 bikes	21m[12]	IC17050[14]	Relocated from the Whitsunday Islands[15]
Discovery IV (D4)		Q-West, Whanganui[16]	1998[16] 27 years ago	80[16]	17.1m[16]		Relocated from the Bay of Islands[15]
Ngārapa		Wooden Boat Workshop, Parnell[citation needed]	1996[17] 29 years ago	55[18]	15[18]		Relocated from the Bay of Islands.[18] Previously called Discovery III.[note 1]

See also

• Public transport in Auckland
• Fullers Group
• Fullers GreatSights Bay of Islands
• Auckland Transport