Search written questions to Ministers and the replies they have received.
Showing 701 to 750 of 2089 written question sets.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 27 July 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Racing
None.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 27 July 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
None
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Why is she directing the Ministry of Education to provide funding for schools to "solve the problem" of rural school buses in the Manawatu, when she has previously said that this is an operational matter she cannot get involved in?
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
I have been advised by the Ministry of Education (the Ministry) that Palmerston North Boys’ High School (PNBHS) recently trialled a private, user-pays bus service for students from Shannon and nearby areas who are not eligible for…
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Will Ferry Holdings Limited table revised prospective financial statements following shareholding Ministers' decisions of July 2026, as contemplated in its Statement of Performance Expectations 2026/27, and if so when?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
Yes. The Statement of Performance Expectations for 2026/27 has been available on the Ferry Holdings website since 24 July 2026.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What performance measures, if any, in Ferry Holdings Limited's Statement of Performance Expectations 2026/27 relate to delivering the Cook Strait Ferry Replacement Programme within the $1.7 billion funding envelope or to any cost or budget…
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
Ferry Holdings is a delivery entity charged with procuring ferries and enabling infrastructure within an appropriated total of $1.704 billion. The performance measure is established by an appropriation limit of $1.704 billion.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Has Ferry Holdings Limited applied for classification as a public purpose Crown-controlled company under section CW38B of the Income Tax Act 2007, and what is the income tax liability if that application is unsuccessful?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
Yes, and the application has been approved. As noted in the Statement of Performance Expectations, “As a result, no provision for income tax has been recognised in these prospective financial statements.”
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What insurance, if any, does Ferry Holdings Limited hold in respect of the ships under construction and the port infrastructure works, and what is the annual premium?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
None. The fixed price ship contract, approved infrastructure scope, and contingencies are all within the $1.704 billion appropriation for Ferry Holdings Limited costs. Ferry Holdings Limited does not hold any insurance for ships…
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What are the top five risks recorded on the Cook Strait Ferry Replacement Programme risk register as at 24 July 2026, and what is the assessed cost impact of each?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
This information is not disclosed. However, standard infrastructure risks apply and approximately 20% contingency is built into the programme which is funded to the relatively high P85 level.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What Gateway reviews of the Cook Strait Ferry Replacement Programme have been completed since April 2025, what delivery confidence assessment rating was assigned by each, and will those reviews be proactively released?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
A Targeted Investment Review was completed in September 2025 and the first Gateway review was completed in June 2026 as part of the assurance processes leading to Ministers’ approval decisions in July 2026. Two Gateway Reviews found the…
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What assurance does the Government have that principal repayments on Ferry Holdings Limited's concessionary loans will commence from 1 July 2028 as assumed, and what is the consequence for the programme if they do not?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
The Statement of Performance Expectations makes the assurance point quite clear: “Term: Up to 2.5 years, with principal repayments due 1 July 2028.”
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What is the estimated cost to the programme of every one cent movement in the New Zealand dollar against the United States dollar below the weighted average contract rate of 0.5870 disclosed by Ferry Holdings Limited?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
Actually, Ferry Holdings disclosed a weighted average contract rate of 0.5874. The words “weighted average” should provide the member with a strong hint that Ferry Holdings has a range to anticipate exchange rate fluctuation scenarios.…
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Which entities are the counterparties to the concessionary loans forecast to total $68 million advanced by Ferry Holdings Limited at 0 percent interest against an assumed market rate of 5.75 percent, and what security, if any, does the…
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
To the extent that such information can be released, Ferry Holdings Limited has done so in section “l)” of its Statement of Performance Expectations.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What is the total value in New Zealand dollars of the Cook Strait ferry build contracts denominated in United States dollars, and what proportion of that exposure is covered by the forward foreign exchange contracts with a notional amount…
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
This information has not been disclosed.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What is the basis for Ferry Holdings Limited capitalising $12.869 million of operating costs to 30 June 2026 and a forecast $12.446 million in 2026/27 as construction in progress rather than expensing them, and what would the reported…
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
Ferry Holdings Limited is a delivery entity for capital assets that will garner a return. These assets are not generated by magic, but instead by works that attract a cost and can be capitalised. This is quite standard for asset-generating…
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
How much, if any, did Ferry Holdings Limited spend on travel and accommodation in the period 5 March 2025 to 30 June 2026, how much is forecast for the year ending 30 June 2027, and how much of that relates to travel to the shipyard in…
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
This is not information held by a shareholding Minister. The member is welcome to seek this information from Ferry Holdings directly.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Why are Ferry Holdings Limited's forecast employee costs of $6.506 million for the twelve months ending 30 June 2027 higher than the $3.380 million incurred over the sixteen months ending 30 June 2026?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
The personnel will increase as overall work activities increase, then drop again when the project is completed. This is normal. The member may have missed this, but the waste at Project iReX saw a team of over 100 people spread across two…
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
How many full-time equivalent staff were employed by Ferry Holdings Limited as at 24 July 2026, how many are forecast as at 30 June 2027, and how many, if any, are paid total remuneration exceeding $200,000 per annum?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
As of 12 June 2026, 15 and 7.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Does he stand by his statement that the previous Cook Strait ferry project was hijacked by expensive consultants, and how is this consistent with Ferry Holdings Limited's forecast consulting and professional fees of $7.156 million and…
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
Yes. $8.5 million is 0.2125% of $4 billion, which is the number Treasury warned the previous Government iReX was on course to hit.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
How much, if any, has Ferry Holdings Limited spent on consulting and professional fees, legal fees, contractors and external assurance services in the period 5 March 2025 to 30 June 2026, and how much is forecast for the year ending 30…
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
Ferry Holdings will provide a full account of its spending in its 2025/26 annual report. This is not information held by the Minister, and can be sought from Ferry Holdings directly if desired before the annual report is published.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What penalties, liquidated damages or incentive payments, if any, are provided for in the infrastructure delivery agreements signed in June 2026 between Ferry Holdings Limited, Port Marlborough, CentrePort and KiwiRail Limited in the event…
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
This information is not disclosed as they are commercial activities. We will never release information that puts taxpayer funds at risk. However, we are satisfied the arrangements place performance incentives appropriately to encourage…
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What matters, if any, have been escalated to the Escalation Executives Group established under the Cook Strait Ferry Replacement Programme governance framework since April 2025, and how many remain unresolved?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
We hope to see this group working effectively, with leaders resolving matters. It would be a crying shame if leaders did not escalate matters to be resolved, otherwise we would see months of infrastructure indecision leading to an…
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What percentage of the special purpose vehicle holding the Picton main wharf and marine assets will be owned by Ferry Holdings Limited and what percentage by Port Marlborough, and on what basis were those shares determined?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
There is an old Māori saying, ‘we pay the price, we pluck the duck.’ As such, shares are determined by money contributed.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Has the Crown returns agreement between Ferry Holdings Limited and KiwiRail Limited been signed, and if not, what is the current expected signing date?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
The decisions in July 2026 were required before these arrangements can be finalised, and are now in train. The core elements underpinning this agreement have been announced in our speech dated 17 July 2026.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What is the net present value of the payments the Crown expects to receive from KiwiRail Limited under the Crown returns agreement intended to be signed by December 2026, and what discount rate has been used?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
This information is not disclosed, in the same way as Interislander and Bluebridge do not currently disclose its port fee payments in KiwiRail’s annual report.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What annual payment, if any, will KiwiRail Limited make to Ferry Holdings Limited and the Crown for use of the new Cook Strait ferries and port infrastructure, and over what period is the Crown's investment forecast to be recovered?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
This information is not disclosed, in the same way as Interislander and Bluebridge do not currently disclose its port fee payments in KiwiRail’s annual report.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What is the scheduled completion date for each major port infrastructure work package at Wellington and Picton, and which, if any, are currently forecast to be completed later than the date assumed in the November 2025 estimates?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
This information has not been disclosed but clearly works are scheduled to be completed before the first ferry enters service in 2029.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What is the estimated cost of the common linkspan design being procured for both Wellington and Picton, and has the contract with the preferred linkspan supplier been signed?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
This information cannot be disclosed at this time for commercial reasons, but works are progressing well.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What resource consents or other statutory approvals are required for the port infrastructure works at Wellington and Picton, and how many, if any, remain outstanding as at 1 July 2026?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
Most works will be carried out under existing consents. Some minor adjacent consents are in progress and are expected soon.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Have early works at Wellington and Picton been completed, and if not, what is the forecast completion date and what additional cost, if any, has been incurred as a result of any delay?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
We remain on schedule to complete works in 2029 so yes.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Have main infrastructure works commenced at Wellington as scheduled in July 2026, and if not, what is the revised commencement date?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
No, as main works contracts will be entered later this year as announced on 17 July 2026. There are ongoing works under existing contracts so Ferry Holdings delivers on time.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Why did the Minister for Rail state on 17 July 2026 that the commercial agreements "set the basis for main works contracts to be entered later this year" when Ferry Holdings Limited's Statement of Performance Expectations 2026/27 states…
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
In the very same speech, we acknowledged Brian Perry Civil and HEB as the construction partners already brought into the project by CentrePort and Port Marlborough respectively. As we are talking about taxpayers money being invested,…
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
On what date, if any, was the main works construction contract for Wellington signed with Brian Perry Civil, given that Ferry Holdings Limited's Statement of Performance Expectations 2026/27, signed in June 2026, records that negotiations…
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
Brian Perry Civil is CentePort’s construction partner and the member can ask CentrePort that question. However, main works contracts are expected to be entered later this year.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
What regulatory or safety requirements applying to the new Cook Strait ferries remain unconfirmed pending the further marine simulations scheduled for late 2026?
What findings, if any, from the marine simulations completed to date indicate that operational restrictions will apply to the new Cook Strait ferries berthing or navigating at Wellington or Picton, and what further simulations remain…
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
This is not information held by a shareholding Minister, but needless to say this likely has a thing or two to do with simulating sailing and berthing operations. This is a standard and ongoing process as part of the design stage of…
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What is the estimated cost of establishing and operating the Ferry Holdings Limited site supervision team at the Guangzhou Shipyard International shipyard, and how many staff will it comprise?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
This information is not held by shareholding Ministers and can be requested directly from Ferry Holdings.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What float or schedule contingency, if any, exists between the scheduled completion of port infrastructure works in early 2029 and the scheduled arrival of the first Cook Strait ferry in April 2029?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
There is a float in the works programme, but that is for me to know and you to find out. It is a general principle in contract management to keep your cards close, as revealing them gives away leverage and we will not be doing that.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Given that Ferry Holdings Limited's Statement of Performance Expectations 2026/27 states the second Cook Strait ferry will arrive in New Zealand in October 2029 and that both ships will enter service in 2029, what commissioning, sea…
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
Standard commissioning arrangements are planned including sea trials, crew training, and regulatory certification activities.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Have all milestones under the fixed-price contracts signed in November 2025 between Ferry Holdings Limited and Guangzhou Shipyard International been met on schedule to date, and if not, which have not been met?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
One of the milestones is vessel acceptance on completion, so no.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What is the scheduled date on which each of the vessels Kupe and Cook is expected to enter commercial service, and how many weeks are allowed between the arrival of each vessel in New Zealand and its entry into service?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
This information is not disclosed for commercial reasons, but both vessels are expected to be in service within months of arriving in New Zealand.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
How many variations, if any, to the fixed-price ship building contracts between Ferry Holdings Limited and Guangzhou Shipyard International have been agreed or are under negotiation as at 24 July 2026, and what is their total value?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
The fixed-price nature of the ship building contracts remain unchanged. It is a normal and expected part of shipbuilding to update specific components of the contract, such as when an alternative maker is selected. Detailing minor…
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
How much, if any, has Ferry Holdings Limited assumed it will receive from Marlborough District Council as grant income for the Dublin Street Overbridge in Picton in the year ending 30 June 2027, and what is the status of the agreement…
What is the estimated cost of the Dublin Street rail overbridge in Picton, how much, if any, is Marlborough District Council contributing, and has that contribution been contractually confirmed?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
KiwiRail is still in progress on this so we cannot provide specifics, however the cost is in the low tens of millions like other overbridges around the country. Marlborough District Council is not contributing. There will be $10 million as…
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What is the estimated total cost of demolishing redundant infrastructure and relocating services at Wellington and Picton to enable main works, and was that cost included in the November 2025 published estimates?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
This is not information held by shareholding Ministers, but all demolition works that fall to Ferry Holdings fit within the $1.704 billion appropriation limit announced in November 2025.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What technical due diligence, if any, on the condition of existing port assets and on ship-to-shore interface geometry was completed before the March 2025 decision to pursue a maximum-reuse, minimum-viable infrastructure programme?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
Seriously technical due diligence was completed prior to March 2025 and through to completing the cost estimates in June. This is the same robust analysis that enables both ports to be operating right now.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
When was the Government first advised that the existing Wellington linkspan and approach structure could not be reused, and on what date, if any, was that advice provided to shareholding Ministers?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
It was known at the time Cabinet set course for a maximum reuse, minimum viable option to save the taxpayer $2.3 billion that the Wellington linkspan might require replacement. Ferry Holdings was subsequently established and promptly…
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What is the estimated cost of the temporary terminal required at Wellington during construction of the linkspan and approach ramp, and was that temporary terminal included in the cost estimates published in November 2025?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
Low millions, and yes this cost fits within the $1.704 billion appropriation published in November 2025. The exact cost cannot be disclosed as it is a current commercial activity.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What is the estimated cost of the new linkspan, linkspan approach structure and passenger walkway required at Wellington, which Ferry Holdings Limited's Statement of Performance Expectations 2026/27 states were initially envisaged to be…
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
This information cannot be disclosed as it is a current commercial activity. To the extent that information can be released, Ferry Holdings is doing so as and when appropriate through its public reporting.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Does the $5.733 million concessionary loan receivable discount recognised by Ferry Holdings Limited across the periods ending 30 June 2026 and 30 June 2027 count against the $1.7 billion Cook Strait Ferry Replacement Programme funding…
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
No. Refer to the explanatory note “l” in the Statement of Performance Expectations: “Any impairment losses are recognised in surplus or deficit.”
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Do the capital contributions to KiwiRail Limited of $12.948 million to 30 June 2026 and $22.904 million forecast for 2026/27, disclosed in Ferry Holdings Limited's Statement of Performance Expectations 2026/27, count against the $1.7…
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
Yes. They count against “All Picton works” and “All Wellington works” to specific assets which KiwiRail will be the end owner
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What specific items of port infrastructure were assumed to be reusable when Ferry Holdings Limited assumed responsibility for the Cook Strait Ferry Replacement Programme in April 2025 but have since been found not to be reusable, and what…
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
None. The only item in question on established Ferry Holdings was whether the linkspan in Wellington could be modified and reused along with other assets, or replaced. In the end, we decided to replace the linkspan and this provides a…
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What contingency, if any, is held within the $373 million Ferry Holdings Limited contribution to Picton marine infrastructure announced on 17 July 2026, and what is its value?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
This information is not disclosed for commercial reasons. At a total programme level, approximately 20% of the $1.704 billion Government funding for Ferry Holdings is contingency.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
How much of the $1.7 billion Cook Strait Ferry Replacement Programme funding envelope is forecast to be spent in each of the financial years 2026/27, 2027/28 and 2028/29, given that Ferry Holdings Limited's Statement of Performance…
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
There will always be overs and unders between financial years in a delivery programme with a multi-year appropriation. Updated forecasts will be provided in each Statement of Performance Expectations and Annual Report.