A mast from the Wahine has been installed as a monument in the Wellington suburb of Eastbourne to honour those killed when the ferry sank.
The Wahine went down at the entrance to Wellington harbour on 10 April 1968, with the loss of 53 lives.
Survivor Shirley Hick, who lost a son and daughter in the tragedy, says the monument will also serve to thank the people of Eastbourne who helped during the rescue.
Mrs Hick told Summer Report the people of Wellington risked their own lives to save her and her other son from the harbour. She plans to visit the monument at least once a year.
The 18-metre forward mast from the Wahine has been installed at Korohiwa Bay, near where most of the ferry's passengers came ashore.
Former police officer Jim Mason, who helped to save survivors, says the monument stands for the rescuers as well as those who died.
That day Mr Mason pulled people from the water, and he was on the beach at Eastbourne again on Thursday when the mast was erected.
He says he is pleased he can now attend memorial services for the disaster in Eastbourne.
The first of those services will be on the anniversary of the sinking in April.
