‘Disrespectful and dismissive’: Diamond Harbour ferry staff bemoan rude customers
Tuesday, 31 March 2026
Christchurch commuter ferry operators have called out the “disrespectful and dismissive” behaviour of a minority of passengers.
The Diamond Harbour ferry on Monday posted a social media appeal for passengers to treat its crews with respect.
“We want to acknowledge that 99% of passengers are absolutely brilliant — friendly, considerate, and supportive of the ferry staff…
“However, it has been noticed that a small number of passengers have been speaking to ferry staff in a disrespectful or dismissive manner. This behaviour is unnecessary and unfair.
“Our ferry staff are simply doing their jobs. They manage safety procedures, schedules, and daily operations — often under pressure and in changing conditions. They deserve courtesy and respect at all times.”
One regular user told The Press it was a rare day any ferry passenger was rude. He had seen the odd hot temper from pensioners being charged for trips before 9am or when they did not have their gold cards on them.
Black Cat acting CEO Paul Bingham said there had been a couple of “small incidents which we want to nip in the bud”.
“Overall we have a great, friendly customer base which we’re delighted to carry across the harbour,” he said. “The response to our post has been incredibly humbling for our team, with even some home made biscuits given to the crew today.”
Amalgamated Workers Union NZ public transport advocate Lindsay Chappell hoped it wasn’t a sign of post-pandemic hostility returning in the face of rising food and fuel prices.
“It took people quite some time to wind down [after the Covid pandemic]. “We still get the odd complaint.”
The plea comes as new data from Environment Canterbury shows that, in 2025, there were only 37 incident reports filed for aggression towards drivers and skippers across Canterbury’s public transport network – including aggressive behaviour, verbal abuse, physical assaults, and robberies.
ECan said it was “disappointed” by an incident last Wednesday where a Christchurch bus driver was spat at.
With the economy the way it is, Chappell didn’t see things improving in the near future. It could even “slump back”, he warned.
Black Cat has been contacted for further comment.
Diamond Harbour is one of the most loyal areas in New Zealand, meaning that once people move there, they don’t want to leave.
According to 2023 census data, nearly 60% of Diamond Harbour residents lived at the same address five years earlier - compared to the national average of just 44%.
The town is just a 45-minute drive from Christchurch’s CBD and an 8-minute ferry from Lyttelton.
About 19% of the people who live in the harbour are from the United Kingdom or Ireland.