The Vega (formerly Aratera) is currently in Nelson Harbour. Photo: Supplied / Jason Grimmett
Former Interislander ferry Aratere is still in New Zealand waters despite being retired in August and sold for scrap in October.
So why is it still here?
It was taken out of service to make way for port infrastructure needed for the arrival of two new rail enabled ferries which are due to be delivered in 2029.
In October, Interislander executive general manager Duncan Roy said it was not suitable to be used for most ferry operators due to its age and the fact it would require significant modification or specialist port infrastructure.
"Therefore, we have pursued a safe, efficient and environmentally responsible recycling option."
Since then, the ship has been bobbing around Wellington Harbour, and at the time of reporting, was in Nelson Harbour.
Vega (formerly Aratere) leaving Wellington Harbour. Photo: Supplied
It had a new name, Vega, and all its Interislander logos removed - including the ferns on its exhausts which had been painted over.
Why has it not left New Zealand yet?
The reason the ship was not on a beach in India right now was because of the Basel Convention - an international treaty which controls the movement of hazardous waste.
For New Zealand, the Environmental Protection Authority makes sure the country met its obligations to the convention.
One of those was ship dismantling which the convention noted does have sustainability benefits through recycling materials.
But the practice has had a history of taking advantage of developing countries and exposing people to health and environmental risks such as asbestos and oils.
Photo: Supplied / Jason Grimmett
For the Aratere (now Vega) to be released under this practice, its new owners had to complete an application with the EPA.
The authority said it was now complete but its counterpart organisation in India had not given permission for the ship to enter India yet.
"We cannot finalise the export application until the Competent Authority in India has granted consent for import."
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