16 Jul 2025

The volunteers trying to save the historic ferry SS Toroa

From Afternoons, 1:35 pm on 16 July 2025

The ferry SS Toroa turns 100 this year and passionate volunteers are asking for help to get her restoration complete, and see the steam boat back on the Waitematā. 

It sunk in 1998, but just three years later the Toroa preservation society successfully raised it from the depths. 

They've been restoring it ever since. Pouring millions of dollars and thousands of hours of labour into it.

Preservation society president Peter McCurdy talks to Jesse.

Peter McCurdy is working on the SS Toroa. He's wearing a high vis jacket and holding a plank in place.

Photo: Gordon Whiteacre / Toroa Preservation Society