Maritime NZ files charges against KiwiRail from Aratere grounding

The Aratere grounded just north of Picton on June 21 last year, with 47 people on-board. (Image: NZME)

Wed, 18 Jun 2025

Maritime NZ has filed two charges against KiwiRail after an investigation into the grounding of the Interislander ferry Aratere last year.The charges related to failures by the operator to keep crew and passengers safe while on-board the ferry, said Maritime NZ’s chief executive Kirstie Hewlett in a statement. They were filed under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. The Aratere grounded just north of Picton on June 21 last year, with 47 people on-board. All passengers and crew were safely returned to shore. The ferry was r...

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