Ministers got second Cook Strait report shortly before ferry grounding

Ministers got second Cook Strait report shortly before ferry grounding
Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the government intends to refresh the KiwiRail board. (Image: NZME)
Oliver Lewis
The Ministry of Transport has finished work to identify future options for a resilient Cook Strait connection, including considering the possibility that KiwiRail might exit the Interislander ferry service.The final report was delivered to ministers last week, a spokesperson said, the same week the three-person ministerial advisory group (Mag) reported back its recommendations for replacement ferries.Issues with the existing fleet were brought to the fore again last Friday night when Aratere, on a freight-only sailing out of Picton, lost steeri...

More Infrastructure

Simmonds bins official advice on waste policy
Policy

Simmonds bins official advice on waste policy

Officials pushed for planned targets, bans and mandates. Simmonds overruled them.

Infratil to join ASX 200, shares up 4%
Infrastructure

Infratil to join ASX 200, shares up 4%

Analysts expect the liquidity boost to help Infratil's growth.

Gregor Thompson 16 Jul 2025
NZ lags behind Australia on freight strategy
Infrastructure Free

NZ lags behind Australia on freight strategy

Sector group calls for a ‘freight council’  and better data collection.

Oliver Lewis 15 Jul 2025