With the commissioning of the 'Waikana', the Harbour ferry service really took off. Her presence was seen as the beginning of a new era in harbour passenger services, and wenever a public holiday occurred there was the inevitable rush of passengers wanting to get on board. Licenced to carry 785 people, there were many occasions when she exceeded this number. The other side of the new ferry service was the state of the existing jetties. Most had been privately built and a heavy bump could cause a jetty to collapse, consequently there was a need for new jetties, or, in the case of Broad Bay, a great extension. There was also a growing need for navigational aids on the Peninsula side of the harbour, especially since the 'Waikana' was also available for excursions at night. Another problem was meeting the set schedules and the weather causing delays and disruptions. By the mid 20s the Peninsula Ferry Company found itself facing very strong competition from the recently-established bus srevice between Dunedin and Portobello, consequently the 'Waikana' was laid up in 1926. Although she was leased out to private interests from time to time, she finally sold off in March 1927 to Auckland interests, but the sale fell through. In 1928 RC Miller of Port Chalmers bought her and tried to set up another schedule of daily runs, but competition from the motor services was too strong. In 1931 she was due for survey but indications were that she would require extensive work and she was withdrawn.