Long-time skipper Graeme Monk has previously claimed a "freak wave" pushed the 96-year-old boat towards an underwater sand bar at the Waimakariri River Mouth in September.
It was damaged beyond repair and had to be pulled to pieces.
But local filmmaker Bobby Reeve claims his aerial footage shows the freak wave never actually happened. Instead, the Tuhoe missed the channel completely and powered straight into the beach.
"No big wave hits the boat, there's no wave or anything that turns the boat to veer south, it stays on that course right up until it hits the beach," he says.
"He was in the wrong position right from the start, there is a massive sand spit that turns out and goes to the north and you probably could have walked on that sand spit, it was so shallow."
Former skipper Graeme Monk maintains a large wave hit the boat, and says one of his crewmen was left with a sore hand when the water hit the rudder. He also claimed he was following directions from the Coastguard.
"We were doing exactly what we were told to do, follow the coast guard and they were in radio contact with us. Just before we grounded they said you're perfect, you're doing exactly what we want you to do."
But Mr Reeve believes the drone footage shows the Coastguard was too far away to direct the boat.
"I think there was a few faults in the coastguard and I think what was going on in the bridge needs to be checked out, because you can't make an error that big without something massive going wrong."
A Maritime New Zealand investigation found no one accountable for the stranding but suggested a wave could have hit the starboard side of the vessel. No one was held accountable and the inquiry has now been closed.
Coastguard New Zealand CEO Patrick Holmes stood by the findings in a statement this afternoon but suggested he would "fully co-operate" if Maritime New Zealand decided to re-open its inquiry.
"We appreciate the grounding of the Tuhoe was a significant loss to the entire community and we'll work closely with all parties to resolve this matter."
Mr Reeve plans to release the extended footage in a documentary through his film company White Bus Family Productions in the coming months.
Newshub.
