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Has the percentage of freight crossing the Cook Strait by rail (i.e. arriving at the Cook Strait by rail and carrying on on the other side by rail) changed since the Aratere was retired, if so by how much?

Answered Question 19842 (2026)
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Asked by

Julie Anne Genter

Member for Rongotai · Green Party

Question

  • Has the percentage of freight crossing the Cook Strait by rail (i.e. arriving at the Cook Strait by rail and carrying on on the other side by rail) changed since the Aratere was retired, if so by how much?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

Yes. We do not have a specific percentage and would not reveal KiwiRail's commercial information in any case. This said, rail freight is prioritised for capacity on the strait. Rail freight is currently transferred from rail wagons to truck decks at either end of the Cook Strait, and the vase bulk remains on the InterIslander. To assist in the dry dock period, where only one ship will be sailing, KiwiRail has established the NZ Connect service to make use of coastal shipping. Once new ferries arrive in 2029, shunting rail freight directly onto the InterIslander will resume for another generation of service.