4 Jun 2024

Skipper honoured for decades of navigating rough seas

From Nine To Noon, 9:20 am on 4 June 2024
Image of Stephen Kafka and his boat, Evohe.

Image of Stephen Kafka and his boat, Evohe. Photo: Stephen Kafka

Stephen Kafka has been transporting conservation workers and researchers to remote sub-Antarctic islands for the past 25 years. Yesterday he was named on the King's Birthday honours list, as a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Since he bought his boat - the Evohe - four decades ago, he's tackled some of the world's most treacherous ocean passages. He is the only current provider to the Department of Conservation for transport to the Bounty and Antipodes Islands. And he's hosted various conservation and wildlife filming crews from international networks.