Explore Group
{{Short description|Ferry & tourism company in New Zealand and Australia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}{{Use New Zealand English|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Explore Group
| logo = Explore Group Company Logo.jpg
| type = Private
| industry = Ferry & tourism company
| founded = {{Start date and age|2001}} in Auckland
| hq_location_city = Auckland
| hq_location_country = New Zealand
| area_served = {{Unbulleted list
}}
| key_people = {{Unbulleted list
| William Goodfellow
}}
| parent = Moturua Properties Limited
| divisions = {{Unbulleted list
| Explore New Zealand
| Explore Australia
| Fullers GreatSights Bay of Islands
}}
| website = {{URL|exploregroup.co.nz}}
}}
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.{{Cite web |title=Unique Experience in Amazing Places |url=https://www.exploregroup.co.nz/unique-experiences/ |access-date=2023-10-27 |website=www.exploregroup.co.nz |language=en-US}} Explore operates sailing experiences on former Americas Cup Yachts, excursions and public transport ferry services for Auckland Transport.{{Cite web |last=Transport |first=Auckland |title=Ferry good news: Auckland Transport announces Explore Group will operate Bayswater, and Birkenhead / Te Onewa Northcote Point ferry routes |url=https://at.govt.nzhttps//at.govt.nz/about-us/news-events/media-centre/2023-media-releases/ferry-good-news-auckland-transport-announces-explore-group-will-operate-bayswater-and-birkenhead-te-onewa-northcote-point-ferry-routes |access-date=2023-10-27 |website=Auckland Transport |language=en-nz}}
History
In 2014 Explore began an Auckland to Waiheke Island service.{{Cite web |date=October 2, 2014 |title=All aboard Auckland’s new ferry service |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1410/S00069/all-aboard-aucklands-new-ferry-service.htm |access-date=2023-10-27 |website=Scoop News}} 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.{{Cite web |date=2016-04-26 |title=Waiheke Island Explore ferry services axed |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/79334938/waiheke-island-explore-ferry-services-axed |access-date=2023-10-27 |website=Stuff }}
Explore began expanding in July 2021 by buying Fullers GreatSights Bay of Islands.{{Cite web |title=Explore Group purchases Fullers GreatSights Bay of Islands|url=https://www.tourismexportcouncil.org.nz/explore-group-purchases-fullers-greatsights-bay-of-islands/ |access-date=2023-10-27 |publisher=Tourism Export Council of New Zealand }}
Following the announcement from Fullers Group that on 1 October 2023, ferry services to Birkenhead, Te Onewa/Northcote Pt and Bayswater would be suspended,{{Cite web |date=2023-10-28 |title=Auckland ferry services suspended for at least a year |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/auckland-ferries-suspended-birkenhead-te-onewa-northcote-pt-bayswater-to-stop-running/YNWSKOZI3VBILFAYO5CAR4BYK4/ |access-date=2023-10-27 |website=NZ Herald |language=en-NZ}} Explore Group announced on 15 September 2023 that Auckland Transport had contracted them to take over operations of Fuller's cancelled routes{{Cite web |title=Ferry good news: Auckland Transport announces Explore Group will operate Bayswater, and Birkenhead / Te Onewa Northcote Point ferry routes |url=https://at.govt.nzhttps//at.govt.nz/about-us/news-events/media-centre/2023-media-releases/ferry-good-news-auckland-transport-announces-explore-group-will-operate-bayswater-and-birkenhead-te-onewa-northcote-point-ferry-routes |access-date=2023-10-27 |website=Auckland Transport |language=en-nz}} - marking Explore's reentry into the public transport industry.
Auckland Vessels
{{Main|List of Auckland ferries}}
{{Auckland ferries/Explore}}
See also
References
Notes
{{reflist|group=note}}
Citations
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons}}
- {{URL|exploregroup.co.nz|Explore Group New Zealand}} (official New Zealand website)
- {{URL|exploregroup.com.au|Explore Group Australia}} (official Australian website)
Category:Ferry companies of Australia
Category:Ferry companies of New Zealand