New Zealand Shipping Company - History & Photos

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The 'Shipping Company' , as the firm was more commonly known, came into  existence in Christchurch in 1873 when a group of merchants and landlords  tried to break the stranglehold that the Shaw Savill and the Albion companies had over the route back to the United Kingdom.

Starting with chartered tonnage, the company soon had its own crack steamers starting with the Tongariro, then quickly built four more. 

 

 Aorangi

However these ships were uneconomic and the company, strapped for cash,  passed into the hands of English shipping baron E.S.Dawes.

With his interests in shipping and meat processing, he was able to make the Company the major player in the 'Home' trade by 1900.

In 1912 control of the company passed to the Federal Steam Navigation Co.  and, though it was stated the company had taken over Federal, it was most  certainly the opposite.

 

Rimutuka

By 1916 Federal sold out to P&O who in turn left the control of the company to the New Zealand management .

In 1929 the Rimutuka was replaced and three impressive new ships Rangitiki, Rangitata, and Rangitane joined Rotorua, Ruahine and Remuera.

The 6 ships were to dominate the London/Wellington passenger trade for the next 10 years till the 2nd World War took its toll.

Remuera, Rangitane and Rotorua were lost while the Rangitiki and Rangitata were on duty as troop transports from  1941-45. Both were returned to peacetime service by 1949.

To replace the losses the company ordered two new 'Rangi' ships, these being the Rangitoto & a new Rangitane in 1949, soon followed by Ruahine in 1951. These new ships together with the two original 'Rangi's maintained the 'Home' run for the next decade.

Ruahine departing Wellington in January 1960 with Shaw Savill Southern Cross and Union Company Monowai 

By 1962 the older ships were replaced by the ex-Cunard liner Parthia  which was renamed Remuera.

By the late 1960's with increasing competition from airlines, the four ships were withdrawn and the other company cargo vessels were transferred to Federal colours,  merging it with P&O in 1973.

Within 10 years the traditional Maori named ships had disappeared and the company came to an end.