Te Anau's historic motor sailer ketch, M.S. Faith, has had a changing of the guard following the retirement of original co-owner George Garden.

Garden's current business partner, Adam Butcher, will now run the popular Fiordland adventure activity on his own following a buyout of both Garden and their third financial partner.

Since its arrival in Te Anau in December 2014, the classic 1935 Scottish vessel has become an icon on Lake Te Anau. 

M.S. Faith at her mooring on Lake Te Anau. Photo: Alina Suchanski

“I don’t know how many times I’ve been told that If I was paid a dollar for every photo taken of Faith, I’d be a millionaire,” Garden said.

Garden first came to Fiordland in 2007 to manage the boutique Te Anau Lodge.

Lodge owner Mark Oremland went on to make headlines in 2012 when he acquired and flew a vintage DC3 aircraft from England to Te Anau.

Butcher, an aircraft pilot, was employed to help set up tourist flights in the classic aircraft, a venture which subsequently failed.

Not to be deterred, Oremland teamed up with Garden to purchase a vintage sailing boat from Picton. The pair hired a skipper and Butcher to have it sailed to Bluff, before transporting it overland to Lake Te Anau.

Garden, with assistance from Butcher, worked full time on the now renamed boat, Faith in Fiordland. Butcher subsequently became full-time in the venture a year later.

However it would take two more years to obtain the necessary approvals and concessions before the first passengers could book a cruise in November 2016.

The business has recently rebranded as Fiordland Historic Cruises but has retained the name Faith for the boat. 

Retiring owner George Garden (left), skipper Maree Key and owner Adam Butcher in front of M.S. Faith. Photo: Alina Suchanski

In 2020 Maree Key, a former Air New Zealand pilot who lost her job due to COVID, was employed by the company. She retrained as a skipper and has been at the helm of M.S. Faith ever since. 

Now 73, Garden said that he wanted to leave while he was still fit and healthy and able to enjoy what retirement has to offer.

“I want to do more outdoor activities – hiking, fishing and traveling with my partner, and become more involved with my grandchildren and family in Christchurch. Playing music is a large part of my life and I want to spend more time enjoying it,” he said.

Garden said he was very happy to hand the reins over to Butcher, a person he has enjoyed a wonderful working relationship with and who has helped to lay the successful foundations for their business.

“Adam has been a continual support of this venture from the beginning and it’s good to know that he’ll carry on what we started together. It is my wish to see the business continue to operate in whatever direction Adam decides to take it in.”

“I’ll miss the operation, the guests and the wonderful support we’ve received from the locals, something I’ll never forget. What I enjoyed most was meeting people from around the world and from all walks of life come on the boat. Seeing how they enjoyed their time on Faith was very satisfying. On the other hand, I’m looking forward to living in Christchurch in close proximity to my two daughters, their husbands and my three grandchildren.”

Butcher said that he feels happy, positive and excited to take over the reins.

Asked about his future plans for the business he said he wants it to continue as it did for the last six years.

“I want to see the original plan to continue, that the boat would stay on the lake and cruises would carry on after George retires. It’s my intention that the product remains consistent, the boat is in tip top condition, and that we fulfil our obligations. With this in mind, I want to tidy up the wharf,” Butcher said.

“After George’s departure Maree and I will run one cruise per day at 2pm over the winter period. And in spring we’ll look for more staff,” he said.