The Wahine Disaster

The Wahine Disaster unfolded on 10 April 1968, when the TEV Wahine, a Lyttelton–Wellington ferry, ran aground on Barrett Reef at the entrance to Wellington Harbour. Caught in the violent winds of Cyclone Giselle, the ship capsized and later sank.

Of the 734 passengers and crew on board, 51 people died that day. Another passenger died later from their injuries, and a 53rd victim died in 1990 as a result of the disaster. The Wahine tragedy remains New Zealand’s worst modern maritime disaster.

The storm was one of the most ferocious in the country’s history. Would-be rescuers stood by helplessly as lifeboats and people were swept past, heartbreakingly close to shore but just out of reach. Thousands of New Zealanders watched events unfold on television, bringing the disaster into homes across the country in real time.

Explore a selection of images from our collection below or visit Te Waka Huia Wellington Museum to see our Wahine Disaster display. Objects such as the captain’s chair from the bridge, the main ship’s bell, lifejackets, and furnishings offer a tangible connection to the tragedy. Many of these items are featured in our Wahine Disaster exhibition, which tells the emotional and poignant story of everyday New Zealanders caught up in the events of that day.