Huddart Parker was not only a famous Australian interstate shipping company but also the only one to maintain a passenger line to New Zealand. The coastal liners Westralia and Zealandia, trans tasman liners Ulimaroa and Wanganella and Bass Strait ferries Nairana and Taroona were all household names. Whie writing a history of Huddart Parker, Auckland maritime historian Bill Laxon regrettably became ill and died. His draft script was taken over and completed by three of his friends - Howard Dick, Ian Farquhar and Tom Stevens. This authoritative history is published by the Nautical Association of Australia.