Frontline - The Wahine Disaster 25 Years on

This special report from late 80s/early 90s current affairs show Frontline looks at the Wahine disaster, on its 25th anniversary. Fifty-one people died on 10 April 1968 after the interisland ferry struck Barrett Reef near Wellington, in a huge storm. The first part ('From Reef to Ruin') features archive footage and interviews with survivors and rescuers. In the second part ('Fatal Shores'), reporter Rob Harley examines whether the ferry could have been better equipped, and more lives saved. A third part ('Strait Answers') is not shown here due to copyright issues with some of the footage. 

We would've saved lives if we'd had more people here — I'm sincere about that view.

– Ex policeman Evan Jordan, on the number of rescuers deployed to Eastbourne

Key Cast & Crew

Brett Cammell

Director: 'The Fatal Shore'

Phil Wallington

Director: 'From Reef to Ruin'

Anita McNaught

Presenter

Mark Champion

Producer

Rob Harley

Reporter: 'The Fatal Shore'

Ross Stevens

Reporter: 'From Reef to Ruin'