Articles tagged with Cook
KiwiRail to Operate New Cook Strait Rail Ferries Kupe and Cook, Securing Future
1 hour ago | 41 viewsThe government announced that KiwiRail will operate two new Cook Strait rail ferries, paying commercial fees to ports and Ferry Holdings, securing a practical and affordable ferry service that preserves rail connectivity and supports freight and passenger resilience. This decision follows the cancellation of the over-budget and over-complicated iReX project, with a renewed focus on delivering within a $1.7 billion budget through expert-led, risk-managed commercial contracts and partnerships. The ferries will be named Kupe and Cook, honoring New Zealand’s maritime heritage and reflecting a commitment to acknowledging the country’s complex history while providing a reliable transport link for generations to come.
Tags: Chris Mackenzie Heather Simpson Greg Lowe Katherine Rich Iain MacLeod Sandip Ranchod Andrea Vance Sue Tindal Kupe CookKiwiRail to Operate New Cook Strait Ferries Kupe and Cook from 2029
1 hour ago | 33 viewsThe New Zealand Government has confirmed KiwiRail will operate two new Cook Strait rail ferries, named Kupe and Cook, arriving in 2029 with a 30-year operational plan to ensure a practical and affordable ferry service. The project, capped at $1.7 billion, saves $2.3 billion compared to previous estimates and includes commercial arrangements protecting taxpayers while supporting critical freight routes between Auckland and Christchurch. The programme also features new marine infrastructure, strict project management, and a long-term strategy to maintain rail ferry services for future generations.
Tags: Winston Peters KiwiRail Kupe Cook Cook Strait CentrePort Port Marlborough Ferry Holdings Guangzhou Shipyard International Interislander$10M Investment for 14 New Classrooms Boosts Lower North Island Schools
4 weeks ago | 229 viewsEducation Minister Erica Stanford announced a $10 million investment to build 14 new classrooms and two technology spaces in lower North Island schools facing capacity pressures, bringing the total new classrooms funded in the region to 153 over three years and over 1,400 nationwide. The government has improved efficiency by using standard designs and off-site manufacturing, saving $300 million reinvested into education, allowing more classrooms to be delivered while also addressing aging school facilities through upgrades at eight schools. This balanced approach focuses on expanding capacity and maintaining existing school infrastructure to ensure safe, modern learning environments for students.
Tags: Erica Stanford Education Minister Feilding High School Paraparaumu College Wainuiomata High School Mount Cook School Hutt Valley High School Mana College Porirua School Waiopehu CollegeNew Chair Matt Clarke and Members Appointed to Game Animal Council from July 2026
1 month ago | 275 viewsHunting and Fishing Minister James Meager announced four new appointments to the Game Animal Council, including Matt Clarke as Chair for a two-year term starting 1 July 2026, alongside members Paula Bennett, Bruce McKenzie, Jim Goodall, and the reappointment of Callum Sheridan for three-year terms. The appointees bring diverse expertise in governance, conservation, hunting, and sector leadership, enhancing the Council's role in advising on sustainable hunting and collaboration with stakeholders. The Minister also acknowledged the contributions of outgoing Chair Grant Dodson and members John Cook and Andrew Simpson.
Tags: James Meager Matthew Clarke Paula Bennett Bruce McKenzie Jim Goodall Callum Sheridan Grant Dodson John Cook Andrew Simpson Game Animal CouncilNew Zealand and Cook Islands Sign Historic Defence & Security Declaration
3 months ago | 516 viewsNew Zealand and the Cook Islands have signed a Defence & Security Declaration to clarify and strengthen their special constitutional relationship, particularly regarding defence and security responsibilities amid a complex strategic environment. The Declaration resolves previous misunderstandings, restores New Zealand’s financial support to the Cook Islands, and establishes mutual commitments including consultation on defence matters, New Zealand’s role as the primary security partner, and cooperation on foreign policy within constitutional limits. Both nations have agreed not to engage with other partners in ways that would undermine these commitments, aiming to enhance their partnership and address shared challenges together.
Tags: New Zealand Cook Islands Winston Peters Norman Kirk Albert Henry Prime Minister Brown Defence & Security Declaration free association New Zealand Defence Force Letters PatentForeign Minister Winston Peters to Visit Cook Islands for Talks with PM Brown
3 months ago | 518 viewsForeign Minister Winston Peters will visit the Cook Islands on April 1-2 for talks with Prime Minister Mark Brown. This visit follows a private meeting between the two leaders in Auckland earlier this month. Peters last visited the Cook Islands in February 2024.
Tags: Winston Peters Mark Brown Foreign Minister Prime Minister Cook Islands New Zealand Auckland visit talks February 2024Attorney-General Appoints Two New District Court Judges for Palmerston North and Nelson
3 months ago | 742 viewsAttorney-General Judith Collins announced the appointment of Prudence McGuire and Christopher Macklin as new District Court Judges, to commence their roles in April and May 2026 at Palmerston North and Nelson Courts, respectively. Ms. McGuire, a Rotorua-based barrister with extensive experience in family and criminal law, will be sworn in on 21 April 2026, while Mr. Macklin, a Nelson-based barrister specializing in criminal and regulatory litigation, will be sworn in on 15 May 2026. Both appointees have significant legal backgrounds, including prosecutorial roles and leadership positions within the legal community.
Tags: Judith Collins Prudence McGuire Christopher Macklin LW Goodman Wollerman Cooke McClure Davys Burton Russell McVeagh Gordon and Pilditch NZLS Criminal Law Committee Palmerston North District CourtGovernment Invests $60K for 51st Polyfest Celebrating Pacific Culture and Youth
4 months ago | 687 viewsThe New Zealand Government is investing $60,000 to support the 51st Polyfest in 2026, celebrating Pacific culture, youth leadership, and community strength. Alongside cultural support, the Government is improving Pacific peoples' quality of life through initiatives in safety, education, health, housing, and employment. Polyfest 2026 will feature diverse Pacific stages and promote environmental stewardship under the theme of Pacific youth as eco-warriors.
Tags: Polyfest Dr Shane Reti Pacific Peoples Minister Ministry for Pacific Peoples Toloa STEM scholarships Alo Vaka Cook Islands Niue Samoa TongaDiscover Different: Explore Canterbury & West Coast This Autumn 2026
6 months ago | 853 viewsCanterbury and the West Coast’s regional tourism organisations will receive $1 million to launch the Discover Different campaign, promoting the regions' attractions during autumn and targeting Australian visitors. The initiative highlights the natural beauty, local food and drink, and unique experiences across Canterbury and the West Coast, aiming to support local businesses and boost regional tourism. Delivered through a collaboration of regional bodies, this campaign is part of a broader $3.69 million Regional Tourism Boost funding to attract international visitors to New Zealand’s regions in autumn and early winter 2026.
Tags: Canterbury West Coast Louise Upston Aoraki Mount Cook Kaikoura Hanmer ChristchurchNZ Destination Kaikōura Visit Hurunui Venture TimaruGovernment Cancels Cook Strait Emergency Ocean Response Vessel Procurement Due to High Costs
7 months ago | 726 viewsThe Government has decided against procuring dedicated emergency ocean response capabilities (EORC) for the Cook Strait due to significant cost escalations—from $80 million to over $259 million over 10 years—and limited benefits, as existing vessels have resolved past incidents effectively. New Cook Strait ferries with enhanced safety features will reduce the need for external assistance, and the temporary contract for the MMA Vision tugboat will end in February 2026, saving $9 million. Overall, the Government concludes that the investment in dedicated towing capabilities is not cost-effective and cannot justify passing costs onto taxpayers or users through levies.
Tags: Chris Bishop Cook Strait Maritime NZ MMA Vision Golden Mind Ministry of Transport Budget 2024 Cabinet Emergency Ocean Response Capability Transport MinisterFour New Judicial Appointments Announced for Supreme, Appeal, and High Courts
7 months ago | 988 viewsAttorney-General Judith Collins announced four judicial appointments effective late 2025 and early 2026: Justice Francis Cooke to the Supreme Court, Justice Rebecca Edwards to the Court of Appeal, and Michael Arthur and Amokura Kawharu to the High Court. Each appointee has extensive legal backgrounds, with Cooke and Edwards previously serving as High Court judges, Arthur specializing in commercial litigation, and Kawharu noted for her academic contributions and leadership at the Law Commission. These appointments reflect a blend of legal expertise across public law, commercial litigation, arbitration, and judicial experience.
Tags: Judith Collins Francis Cooke Rebecca Edwards Michael Arthur Amokura Kawharu Victoria University of Wellington University of Auckland Cambridge University Court of Appeal High CourtGovernment Saves $2.3 Billion with New Interislander Ferries and Infrastructure
8 months ago | 760 viewsThe Government has secured two new Interislander ferries from Guangzhou Shipyard International under a $596 million fixed-price contract, with the total program costing less than $2 billion and saving taxpayers $2.3 billion by cutting expensive consultancy and excessive infrastructure. Funding for the infrastructure will be recovered through port fees and Interislander is expected to build reserves for future ferry replacements, operating like a normal business. The project is managed by Ferry Holdings with support from CentrePort, Port Marlborough, and KiwiRail, emphasizing fiscal discipline and minimizing disruption, while also strengthening economic ties with China.
Tags: Winston Peters Guangzhou Shipyard International Ferry Holdings CentrePort Port Marlborough KiwiRail Interislander Bluebridge Rail Minister Cook StraitStrengthening Nordic-New Zealand Partnerships: Shared Values and Future Collaborations
8 months ago | 984 viewsThe speech delivered to the Swedish Institute for International Affairs on October 28, 2025, highlighted the historical and current ties between New Zealand and the Nordic countries, emphasizing shared values and experiences dating back to the 18th century. The discussion focused on the strength of partnerships, shared challenges in a complex world, and the need for collaboration on international law, resilience-building, and innovation to address global issues. The importance of unity, cooperation, and principled values-based partnerships in shaping a positive global order was underscored, emphasizing the potential for small and medium nations to influence world affairs through collective action.
Tags: State Secretary Hartelius Tobias Billstrom Ambassadors Daniel Solander Hermann Sporring Ditlev Monrad Helen Lahtinen Jon Johansson Captain Cook Te PapaNew Ferries Secured for Next 30 Years by Ferry Holdings: Design and Delivery Details
10 months ago | 1003 viewsFerry Holdings has secured a preferred shipbuilder for two new ferries to serve passengers, road, and rail for the next 30 years, with a fixed price and completion in 2029. Rail Minister Winston Peters praised the swift procurement process and highlighted the importance of the letter of intent signed for technical negotiations. The new ferries will have specific dimensions, capacities, power, and safety features to ensure efficient and environmentally friendly transportation across the Cook Strait for the next three decades.
Tags: Ferry Holdings Winston Peters Rail Minister ship builder shipyards procurement process ship specification shipyard Cook Strait TasmaniaCelebrating 60 Years of Cook Islands' Free Association with New Zealand
11 months ago | 2006 viewsThe speech for Constitution Day Celebrations of the Cook Islands highlights the unique 'Free Association' relationship with New Zealand, celebrating 60 years since its establishment in 1965. The model, born out of the Cook Islands Legislative Assembly's desire for self-government while retaining New Zealand citizenship, has been a successful and enduring partnership. The speech emphasizes the economic, cultural, and social successes of the Cook Islands community in New Zealand, as well as New Zealand's ongoing support for the Cook Islands in times of need, reflecting on the strong bonds and mutual respect shared between the two nations.
Tags: Constitution Day Celebrations Cook Islands Upokina Taoro CIDANZ Auckland Council Reverend Charles Pange Mama Tupou Manapori Mama Mi'i Tarapu Sir Tom Davis Norman Kirk