Built in 1965-’66 by Vickers Ltd., Yard Walker, Newcastle, #183, launced 26-06-’65, completed 04-’66 for New Zealand Railways Department, Wellington, cost:$NZ 4 million.
Ro-ro passenger ship, Gt:4542, Nt:1542, Dw1110, Loa:112.20m. lbp:104.02m. B:18.62m. D:8.51m. Draft:4.78m. 6-16 cyl. English Electric diesels:10,590 bhp. (7790 kW.) driving 4 electric motors each 2250 shp. (1655kW.) 2 shafts, 17 kn. 2 thrusters forward, passengers:800, 30 railroad wagons, 70 vehicles, side door and stern door, crew:90, IMO.6517067, call sign HZJW.
Service between North and South Islands.
In ’77 rebuilt at Dunedin, passengers:950.
Laid up at Wellington in June’84 and sold 4 months later to the Najd Marine Agencies Panama, renamed ARANUI I, ’85 to Najd Trading & Construction Co. Jeddah, renamed NUI, she commenced service carrying Moslem pilgrims on the Red Sea.
In ’86 renamed NAJD III, 5 years later, following an engine failure, she laid up at Singapore, in ’92, her owners were unable to make progress payments for a repair, she arrived at Chittagong breakers H Steel on 03-11-’94.
(New Zealand 2018, $3.30, StG.?) in the background
Internet + LR88/89