The ferry Aotearoa Kaiarahi was ordered in 2019 by Kiwi Incorporated to establish a shipping service between Yeager and Snowstone. Construction was delayed by three years, being finished in 2023. Her induction into service was more problematic. On her first mooring, she hit the wharf, damaging her hull. Halfway through her first sailing, her portside engine died completely, limiting the vessel to sail at half speed. An unusual rattlling from her starboard engine further rubbed salt into the wounds, and the ship was pulled out of service. She was replaced by the MV Jundroo Viking, until the HSC WAITOHI MERCHANT was acquired. Her engines were repaired, but problems remained. She ran aground due to a steering problem and was forced out of service again. In May 2024, two months after running aground, she returned to service, and had no problems since.
Instructions are provided with the file btw.
Modifications took a long time. This included making the bow longer, building the funnels, making 'Funnel Spoilers'.
The name is based off the Cook Strait ferry, the Kaiarahi, and the stern ramp is inspired by the odd ramp design of the Strait Feronia.