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What advice, if any, has the Minister received on the cost of leasing an additional vessel to operate on Cook Strait prior to 2029, and what was the estimated cost?

Answered Question 39670 (2026)
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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • What advice, if any, has the Minister received on the cost of leasing an additional vessel to operate on Cook Strait prior to 2029, and what was the estimated cost?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

The KiwiRail chair confirmed the company will action our request to maintain a constant market assessment of additional tonnage. To date, no additional tonnage is required as the ferries were 99% reliable in 2025/26 and 100% so far in 2026/27, and therefore the estimated cost is zero.