Hikitia Heavy Lift Limited
Descriptive Data
TypeAgencyDate Range1990-2006DescriptionThe Hikitia, at nearly 100 years old, is the last remaining piece of historical floating plant in Wellington, and is also (as far as known) the only working steam powered floating crane in the world.
Built by Fleming and Ferguson of Paisley, the crane was built by Sir William Arrol and Co of Glasgow. Following trials she left Glasgow on 29 September 1926, and 83 days later entered Wellington Harbour on 21 December 1926. It has been generally accepted that Hikitia's delivery voyage represents a record distance sailed by a vessel of this type with its jib up.
She began work almost immediately and for 96 years has been a familiar sight on the harbour, taken for granted and unheralded. She has worked on all types of construction projects including wharf construction and was much involved in handling war materiel for Wellington in Work War Two. Her main role was in lifting heavy cargo onto, and off, ships.
The advent of containerisation in the 1960s led to the end of Hikitia's useful life. The Thorndon container wharf, completed in the late 1960s, featured much large cranes that were needed to lift shipping containers. The first container ship arrived in 1972, and by the end of the 1970s the Hikitia was hardly used. By the mid-1980s she was offered for sale.
While there was some interest, it was not until 1990 that a satisfactory tender was received. Marine heritage enthusiasts Bob and Mary Box and John and Joy Ackrill formed a company called Hikitia Heavy Lift Limited (HHLL) and paid $20,000 – its scrap metal value – for the vessel.
HHLL wanted to keep the Hikitia as a working vessel and began a slow and careful restoration project. In 1992 it received a survey certificate after lifting 88 tons and was therefore available for commercial work. This provided HHLL with enough income to cover the vessel’s operating costs, although this in no way covered deferred maintenance. The Hikitia embarked on a wide range of lifting work, acted as a platform for the municipal fireworks display on Guy Fawkes night, and undertook some salvage work. In 1997 the Marine Archaeological Association of New Zealand began work on establishing a conservation laboratory in the vessel to house metal artifacts retrieved from the sea. The laboratory remains in regular use.
With the Boxes wanting to reduce their involvement in the vessel and the two couples keen to see it come under the care of a Trust, negotiations began with the Maritime Heritage Trust to take over the vessel. The transaction for the sale of the ship took place on 25 January 2006.
Built by Fleming and Ferguson of Paisley, the crane was built by Sir William Arrol and Co of Glasgow. Following trials she left Glasgow on 29 September 1926, and 83 days later entered Wellington Harbour on 21 December 1926. It has been generally accepted that Hikitia's delivery voyage represents a record distance sailed by a vessel of this type with its jib up.
She began work almost immediately and for 96 years has been a familiar sight on the harbour, taken for granted and unheralded. She has worked on all types of construction projects including wharf construction and was much involved in handling war materiel for Wellington in Work War Two. Her main role was in lifting heavy cargo onto, and off, ships.
The advent of containerisation in the 1960s led to the end of Hikitia's useful life. The Thorndon container wharf, completed in the late 1960s, featured much large cranes that were needed to lift shipping containers. The first container ship arrived in 1972, and by the end of the 1970s the Hikitia was hardly used. By the mid-1980s she was offered for sale.
While there was some interest, it was not until 1990 that a satisfactory tender was received. Marine heritage enthusiasts Bob and Mary Box and John and Joy Ackrill formed a company called Hikitia Heavy Lift Limited (HHLL) and paid $20,000 – its scrap metal value – for the vessel.
HHLL wanted to keep the Hikitia as a working vessel and began a slow and careful restoration project. In 1992 it received a survey certificate after lifting 88 tons and was therefore available for commercial work. This provided HHLL with enough income to cover the vessel’s operating costs, although this in no way covered deferred maintenance. The Hikitia embarked on a wide range of lifting work, acted as a platform for the municipal fireworks display on Guy Fawkes night, and undertook some salvage work. In 1997 the Marine Archaeological Association of New Zealand began work on establishing a conservation laboratory in the vessel to house metal artifacts retrieved from the sea. The laboratory remains in regular use.
With the Boxes wanting to reduce their involvement in the vessel and the two couples keen to see it come under the care of a Trust, negotiations began with the Maritime Heritage Trust to take over the vessel. The transaction for the sale of the ship took place on 25 January 2006.
Hikitia Heavy Lift Limited. Archives Online, accessed 26/09/2026, https://archivesonline.wcc.govt.nz/nodes/view/939567