Wahine - The Untold Story

Brian Edwards was working as a television reporter when the Wahine sank on 10 April 1968 in Wellington Harbour. Twenty-five years later Edwards presented this TV3 documentary about the tragedy, which remains New Zealand's worst modern maritime disaster. Wahine - The Untold Story interviews passengers and crew, and features harrowing rescue footage and stills. Interviewees criticise the way the evacuation was handled — "we'd been lied to continually" — while helmsman Ken MacLeod remembers the challenges of trying to keep the Wahine on course.  

I couldn't work out why everybody had their hands over their ears ... and then it suddenly hit me ... this shrieking, very high-pitched continuous scream was of the ship grinding against the rock.

– William J Spring, who was on the Wahine

Key Cast & Crew

Vincent Burke

Producer

John Carlaw

Director

Brian Edwards

Presenter

Bill Toepfer

Editor

Trishia Downie

Line Producer

Geoff Steven

Network Executive