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Prime Minister launches New Zealand’s newest overnight cruise ship

 

MEDIA RELEASE
4 September 2009
Prime Minister launches New Zealand’s newest overnight cruise ship
The much anticipated Fullers GreatSights Bay of Islands overnight cruise ship was today
officially launched by the New Zealand Prime Minister, Hon. John Key.
The overnight ship, Ipipiri, named after the sacred Maori name for the Bay of Islands, is a 46
metre catamaran, which includes 30 deluxe state rooms, a spacious sundeck and a 70-seat
restaurant and bar.
More than 100 guests welcomed the small ship to Opua in the Bay of Islands, including
InterCity Group (NZ) Ltd (ICG) Chairman, Joe Butterfield, as well as local business leaders,
Maori representatives and children from the local Opua Primary School who performed
traditional Maori waiata.
“Ipipiri is a beautiful ship and her arrival more than meets our expectations,” says Malcolm
Johns, ICG CEO. ICG commissioned the vessel in 2008. “We have been planning this for the
past four years and the launch day has finally arrived – it’s definitely been worth the wait!”
Construction began in early 2008 in Hobart, Australia, and was completed last month, Ipipiri
arrived last month and her first paying cruise is scheduled for October 1, 2009.
Ipipiri has already attracted the attention of many overseas visitors, which is reflected in the
solid confirmed bookings for the 2009/10 summer season.
Fullers GreatSights Bay of Islands has invested more than $12 million into the venture, which
also extends to an investment into the local Northland economy.
“Ipipiri will not only attract more visitors to the area but it will help to entice tourists to stay
longer, which will give tourists more of an opportunity to experience the wider Northland
region,” says Johns.
For more information, please visit www.overnightcruise.co.nz or www.GreatSights.co.nz
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MEDIA RELEASE

4 September 2009

Prime Minister launches New Zealand’s newest overnight cruise ship

The much anticipated Fullers GreatSights Bay of Islands overnight cruise ship was today officially launched by the New Zealand Prime Minister, Hon. John Key.

The overnight ship, Ipipiri, named after the sacred Maori name for the Bay of Islands, is a 46 metre catamaran, which includes 30 deluxe state rooms, a spacious sundeck and a 70-seat restaurant and bar.

More than 100 guests welcomed the small ship to Opua in the Bay of Islands, including InterCity Group (NZ) Ltd (ICG) Chairman, Joe Butterfield, as well as local business leaders, Maori representatives and children from the local Opua Primary School who performed traditional Maori waiata.

“Ipipiri is a beautiful ship and her arrival more than meets our expectations,” sa ys Malcolm Johns, ICG CEO. ICG commissioned the vessel in 2008. “We have been planning this for the past four years and the launch day has finally arrived – it’s definitely been worth the wait!”

Construction began in early 2008 in Hobart, Australia, and was completed last month, Ipipiri arrived last month and her first paying cruise is scheduled for October 1, 2009.

Ipipiri has already attracted the attention of many overseas visitors, which is reflected in the solid confirmed bookings for the 2009/10 summer season.

Fullers GreatSights Bay of Islands has invested more than $12 million into the venture, which also extends to an investment into the local Northland economy.

“Ipipiri will not only attract more visitors to the area but it will help to entice tourists to stay longer, which will give tourists more of an opportunity to experience the wider Northland region,” says Johns.

For more information, please visit www.overnightcruise.co.nz or www.GreatSights.co.nz

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