local community of Ngati Wai Māori based at Katherine Bay, on the western coast of the island. They were able to rescue and provide care for a number of the survivors. Seaman, fisherman and farmer Mariano Vella and his new wife belonged to the survivors of the disaster. Although Wairarapa was expected in Auckland, there was no way of knowing where she may have come to grief. As the only contact with the island at the time was via weekly trips from a steamer, it was three full days until news of the shipwreck reached Auckland. The Northern Company's steamer Argyle arrived in Port FitzRoy on Wednesday, 31 October, and took the survivors who had reached Port FitzRoy on board. The steamer then proceeded to the site of the shipwreck, and to Katherine Bay, picking up further survivors and sailing back to arrive in Auckland about 3am Thursday 1 November. A Court of Inquiry was held after Wairarapa disaster, and found Captain McIntosh's actions were the primary cause of the tragedy. Protection The wreck of Wairarapa is scheduled for preservation in the Auckland Unitary Plan and is also protected under the archaeological provisions of the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014. References External links Ancestry.com: 29 October 1894 - The Tragedy of the SS Wairarapa The New Zealand documentary series 'Descent from disaster' made an episode about this wreck WRECK OF S. S. WAIRARAPA 1894 in New Zealand 1882 ships Ships built on the River Clyde Great Barrier Island History of the Auckland Region Ships of the Union Steam Ship Company Maritime incidents in 1894 Shipwrecks of New Zealand