Articles tagged with Interislander

KiwiRail to Operate New Cook Strait Ferries Kupe and Cook from 2029

1 month ago | 300 views

The 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

Marlborough Council Starts Consultation on $110M Port Marlborough Ferry Upgrade

4 months ago | 743 views

The Marlborough District Council has begun consulting on funding Port Marlborough’s $110 million contribution to revenue-generating port assets in Picton, supporting new resilient ferries for road, rail, and passengers. This initiative, part of a $531 million budget for Picton works, aims to replace ferries while saving taxpayers $2.3 billion and securing long-term infrastructure for the Interislander and Bluebridge services. The proposal is designed to cost no additional ratepayer funds, with dividends from Port Marlborough benefiting the community and taxpayers funding the balance through Ferry Holdings.

Tags: Marlborough District Council Port Marlborough Picton Rail Minister Winston Peters Interislander Bluebridge Local Government Act Ferry Holdings taxpayer

KiwiRail Boosts Performance with $73M Surplus and 7% Volume Growth

5 months ago | 895 views

KiwiRail has shown significant improvement, achieving a $73.4 million operating surplus and a 7% increase in volumes due to focused commercial discipline and upgraded rolling stock. Investments in modern locomotives, better maintenance funded by legislative changes, and improved infrastructure have enhanced schedule reliability and reduced disruptions from natural events. Additionally, Interislander maintained 100% reliability during peak periods, demonstrating the success of KiwiRail’s strategic focus on reliability, cost control, and asset renewal.

Tags: KiwiRail Winston Peters Suzanne Tindal New Zealand Dunedin Hillside Workshops Stadler locomotives Interislander Infrastructure Commission Rail Minister South Island

Government Saves $2.3 Billion with New Interislander Ferries and Infrastructure

9 months ago | 907 views

The 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 Strait