Moana Chief arrived at Auckland on 15 September 2019 and after a quick visit to Fergusson Container Terminal shifted to Captain Cook Wharf for a few days. She went back to Fergusson on the 19th to load before sailing south on her first voyage on 20 September. She has taken over the schedule formerly operated by Spirit of Canterbury: Auckland-Lyttelton-Nelson-Tauranga-Auckland.
Moana Chief has Swire colours on her funnel and a large Pacifica bird on the side of the accommodation block. She has had her crane jibs removed so is now a gearless container ship.