Lakeland Queen is a sternwheeler paddle boat that operates cruises on Lake Rotorua in New Zealand. She was built in Rotorua in 1986 by brothers Ian and Doug Stewart of the company Lakeland Steel Products, in the style of the historic Mississippi paddle steamers.[1]Lakeland Queen was launched on 26 October 1986,[2] and is the only sternwheeler passenger vessel in New Zealand.[3]
Lakeland Queen is used for breakfast, lunch and dinner cruises and sightseeing, and operates from a dedicated jetty on the Rotorua lakefront.[4]Māori cultural entertainment has been provided on some cruises.[5] The cruises often have live music, with Blues cruises a regular feature.[6][7][8][9] The vessel has also been used for cruises to a wildlife reserve on Mokoia Island, in association with concession holders for the reserve.[10]
The vessel is powered by a 240hp (180kW)Cummins diesel engine powering a hydraulic system that drives an eight-bladed stern wheel.[11]
History
In 2006, the company Majpie Investments Ltd that operated Lakeland Queen was placed into receivership with debts of more than $850,000, and the vessel was offered for sale.[12]Lakeland Queen was bought by a group of local entrepreneurs, including Terry Hammond. The new owners arranged for the vessel to be extended in length, by being cut in half and a new 10-metre-long (33ft) section added in the middle, increasing the overall length to 32 metres (105ft).[13] The extension added another enclosed deck,[14] and increased the passenger capacity from 148 to 266.[15][16]
In 2021, Lakeland Queen was withdrawn from service because of a major downturn in tourist numbers following the closure of New Zealand's borders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[17] She was laid up and stored onshore at Motutara Point. In late 2023, while the vessel was still laid up, the Lakeland Queen owners Terry and Raewyn Hammond were told that to restart their operation they would need to pay for the replacement of the deteriorated jetty. In addition, they would need to gift the new jetty to the iwi that owns the lake bed, and then lease it back.[18] In January 2024, the owners were given six months to remove the vessel from the iwi-gifted public land where it had been sitting since 2021.[19] The business went into liquidation in March 2024.[20]
In 2024, Damon Hagaman, son of the hotel operator Earl Hagaman, together with Arna Hagaman, purchased the Lakeland Queen and commenced a major refit.[3] The scope of work included rebuilding hydraulic systems, refurbishment of the paddle drive and steering gear, and overhaul of the bow thruster. After more than four years laid up, Lakeland Queen was relaunched into Lake Rotorua on 28 August 2025.[3][21]Lakeland Queen returned to commercial service on 11 November 2025 following the completion of refurbishment and granting of a liquor licence.[22]
Incidents
On 3 June 2000 at around 10:00pm, Lakeland Queen lost power on a cruise and was forced to anchor offshore from Sulphur Point in bad weather and rough conditions. The Coastguard rescued 94 passengers and eight crew.[23]
On 12 March 2007, Lakeland Queen departed at 7:00pm for an evening cruise, but stormy weather forced the vessel to shelter behind Mokoia Island. Adverse conditions prevented the vessel from docking until 3:00am.[24] The storm caused a large build-up of lake weed on the foreshore, which led to the cancellation of breakfast and lunch cruises the following day.[25]
On 30 May 2018, a Volcanic Air Safaris aircraft was taxiing when it crashed into Lakeland Queen. There were no injuries and only minor damage.[26]
References
↑"1986: The Lakeland Queen is built by Rotorua brothers". The Daily Post. 13 July 2006. p.A.1. ProQuest432084267.
↑"Honours run deep in family". The Daily Post. 4 June 2018. p.A.2. ProQuest2049092575.
↑"Cool notes in store". Bay of Plenty Times. 3 June 2010. p.A.19. ProQuest356968824.
↑Hamilton-Irvine, Gary (19 April 2013). "Blues cruise on the lake". The Daily Post. pp.A.12.
↑"Plenty to warm up weekend". The Daily Post. 29 May 2015. p.A.6. ProQuest1683592712.
↑Ollie, Samantha (3 June 2019). "Crowds 'crazy' for blues". The Daily Post. pp.A.8. ProQuest2233386497.
↑Taylor, Julie (13 January 2010). "Cruise brings the world to Mokoia Island: A natural attraction opened up". The Daily Post. pp.A.8. ProQuest432262047.
↑Makiha, Kelly (13 July 2006). "`Lady of the lake' venture sinks Tourism: Company owes $850,000 plus". The Daily Post. p.A.1. ProQuest432084288.
↑Caspari, Abigail (3 August 2006). "New owners have big plans for `Lady of the Lake'". The Daily Post. p.A.3. ProQuest432087702.
↑"Award delight for Agrodome boss". The Daily Post. 13 October 2012. pp.A.5. ProQuest1111650615.
↑Caspari, Abigail (27 July 2006). "Major facelift planned for Rotorua's `Lady of the Lake'". The Daily Post. pp.A.1. ProQuest432086265.
↑Mather, Mike (13 April 2007). "Tourist attraction future in limbo Business: Tours have been on hold since November". The Daily Post. p.A.3. ProQuest432102741.
↑"Lack of tourists sees15 boat staff lose jobs". The Daily Post. 28 October 2021. pp.A.2. ProQuest2586455595.
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