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What is the annual cost of road-bridging rail freight across Cook Strait following the retirement of the Aratere, and how does this compare with the cost of carrying the same freight on a rail-enabled vessel?

Answered Question 39680 (2026)
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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • What is the annual cost of road-bridging rail freight across Cook Strait following the retirement of the Aratere, and how does this compare with the cost of carrying the same freight on a rail-enabled vessel?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

This is commercial information held by KiwiRail and will not be disclosed. KiwiRail has a right to go about its commercial activities without prejudice or disadvantage. As previously advised, in business it is reasonable to withhold core costs from disclosure to avoid handing information to competitors and suppliers.