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Minister Winston Peters · List MP · NZ First · Minister for Racing / List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail / List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
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Showing 51 to 100 of 1524 written question sets.

Questions published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Questions

  • 40440 (matches this search)

    Further to the reply to written question 35712 (2026), which divisions or business units of Beca does Mr Lowe's advisory role cover, and who verified that it excludes the New Zealand infrastructure market?

  • 40441 (matches this search)

    Further to the reply to written question 35712 (2026), on what date did Mr Lowe's part-time advisory role with Beca commence, is that role current, and is it remunerated?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

That is private information relating to Mr Lowe and Beca. What is of relevance to our considerations is that Mr Lowe has recused himself from all decisions regarding Beca's contract with Ferry Holdings.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Further to the replies to written questions 35238 (2026) and 35239 (2026), did Mr Lowe recuse himself from board consideration of each of the three variations, as distinct from the original engagement?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

Yea, as Mr Lowe was not involved in any decisions by Ferry Holdings relating to the Beca contract.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Further to the replies to written questions 35239 (2026) and 37930 (2026), was each variation to Beca Ltd's contract approved within the delegated authority described in that reply; if not, by whom was it approved?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

Yes, by the chief executive. Refer to WPQ 35236 (2026).

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Further to the reply to written question 35239 (2026), what was the date and value of each of the three variations to Beca Ltd's contract, and who approved each variation?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

The original contract value was $950,000. There have been three variations: - $550,000 on 5 December 2025 for technical services. - $1.6 million on 13 April 2026 for technical services. - A secondment of an Acting General Manager -…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Further to the replies to written questions 37231 (2026) and 35236 (2026), where in the Government Procurement Rules does the "fair basis" test appear; if it does not, what is the source of that standard and who applied it?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

Refer to the response to WPQ 37934 (2026).

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Further to the replies to written questions 37934 (2026), 37231 (2026) and 35236 (2026), where in the Government Procurement Rules does the phrase "a fair basis" appear as a ground for exemption from open advertising?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

The member is welcome to view the document and exercise the CTRL+F functions. The responses to WPQs 35236 and 37934 have already advised the basis by which Rule 12 was exercised.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Further to the reply to written question 37934 (2026), on how many occasions since 1 April 2025 has each individual ground in Appendix 2 been relied on, broken down by ground?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

We are awaiting the report from the Ferry Holdings board into its targeted review of procurement. Until that report has been considered, we maintain the consitutional convention for the timebeing which protects the confidentiality of…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Further to the reply to written question 37933 (2026), will he provide the 11 contracts broken down by supplier, date of award, value, and the ground in Appendix 2 of the Government Procurement Rules relied on in each case; if not, why not?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

In the fullness of time and in accordance with the provisions of the Official Information Act 1981, yes.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Further to the replies to written questions 37933 (2026) and 37932 (2026), does the total of 11 contracts include the shipbuilding contract; if not, on what basis is a closed tender process treated as open advertisement for the purposes of…

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

No.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Further to the replies to written questions 37933 (2026) and 35241 (2026), how is the stated total of NZD 2,361,636 for contracts awarded without open advertisement consistent with the total contract value of $3,401,000 for Beca Ltd alone?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

No exemption was required for the procurement of Beca Ltd, therefore was not included in the 11 contracts total. Refer to the response to WPQ 35236 (2026).

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Further to the reply to written question 37933 (2026), does the total of 11 contracts awarded without open advertisement include the engagement of Beca Ltd, which the reply to written question 35240 (2026) states was undertaken through a…

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

The contracts awarded without open advertisement are listed in response to WPQ 35236 (2026). No exemption was required for the engagement of Beca Ltd, as a closed tender process was undertaken.

Questions published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Chris Hipkins

Member for Remutaka · Labour Party

Questions

Matching question numbers: 40458 (2026)

  • 40452 (matches this search)

    How many invoices for international mobile roaming charges in connection with the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting and related meetings held in Koror, Palau, in August and September 2026, if any, remained unbilled or unpaid as at…

  • 40453 (matches this search)

    Which agency, department, or appropriation, if any, met the cost of international mobile roaming charges in connection with the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting and related meetings held in Koror, Palau, in August and September…

  • 40455 (matches this search)

    How much, if any, did the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spend on international mobile roaming charges for staff or officials travelling to, attending, or returning from the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting and related…

  • 40457 (matches this search)

    How much, if any, was spent on international mobile roaming charges on mobile devices issued to him personally in connection with the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting and related meetings held in Koror, Palau, in August and…

Show the remaining 1 questions
  • 40458 (matches this search)

    How much, if any, did his Office spend on international mobile roaming charges in connection with the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting and related meetings held in Koror, Palau, in August and September 2026?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs

Answer

None, as no New Zealand moblie networks support roaming services in Palau.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Chris Hipkins

Member for Remutaka · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How much, if any, was spent by his Office on prepaid international roaming products, local SIM cards or eSIMs, or portable wi-fi or satellite communications devices for use in connection with the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting…

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs

Answer

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade purchased local SIM cards for use by the Minister and two staff members in Palau, with costs invoiced by the Ministry back to his office. The total cost was USD$105.00, or USD$35.00 per SIM card.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Chris Hipkins

Member for Remutaka · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many mobile devices funded by his Office, if any, incurred international roaming charges in connection with the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting and related meetings held in Koror, Palau, in August and September 2026?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs

Answer

Refer ot the response to WPQ 40453 (2026).

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Chris Hipkins

Member for Remutaka · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    On what dates, if any, did he travel outside New Zealand in connection with the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting and related meetings held in Koror, Palau, in August and September 2026?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs

Answer

The Minister departed New Zealand on the morning of 29 August and returned on the morning 3 September.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Chlöe Swarbrick

Member for Auckland Central · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Further to question 38106, will the New Zealand Government participate in the proposed International Panel on Inequality at the United Nations?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs

Answer

No decision has been made on New Zealand participation.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What reports or advice, if any, does the Minister hold on the total economic cost to New Zealand of reduced Cook Strait ferry capacity between 2024 and 2029, and what estimate for the total sum did that contain?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

None. The Cook Strait ferries continue to serve demand.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What assessment, if any, has been made of the difference in freight and passenger capacity between the vessels ordered under Project iReX and the vessels Kupe and Cook, and what is the estimated effect on Cook Strait capacity over the…

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

Kupe and Cook will arrive in New Zealand thanks to the no-nonsense ferry replacement programme, while the iReX ferries will never arrive because the previous Government's actions meant their programme was on course to cost $4 billion and…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many Interislander staff positions, if any, were disestablished as a result of the transition from a three-ship to a two-ship fleet, and what was the total cost of redundancies paid?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

In late August 2025, we personally visited the Wellington Terminal to thank the Aratere crew following her final commercial service across the Cook Strait. Retaining the Aratere in service would have required at least $120 million in…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What has been the total expenditure on external consultants and advisors relating to Cook Strait ferry procurement since December 2023, across KiwiRail, Ferry Holdings, the Ministry of Transport and the Treasury?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

This is not information held by the Minister for Rail, noting that this position was established on 11 December 2024. We will request the Treasury work with KiwiRail, Ferry Holdings and the Ministry of Transport to identify this number and…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What has been the total operating cost of Ferry Holdings Limited since its establishment in March 2025, broken down by financial year?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

2024/25: $2.0 million 2025/26: $19.8 million

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Which components of the Cook Strait Ferry Replacement Programme cost are based on long-range estimates rather than fixed or target outturn prices, and what is the combined value of those components?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

The approved scope of work in the ferry replacement programme is funded to P85 levels based on target outturn prices.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What contingency is held within the $1.704 billion taxpayer contribution to the Cook Strait Ferry Replacement Programme, and how much of that contingency, if any, has been drawn down to date?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

We have already answered this question. There is approximately 20% of that amount held as contingency and the programme is funded to P85 levels. No contingency has been drawn to date.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    On what basis is the claimed saving of approximately $2.3 billion against Project iReX calculated, including the assumed iReX total cost, the price basis or reference year used, and whether the figure is expressed in nominal or real terms?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

$4 billion minus $1.7 billion equals $2.3 billion.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What assessment, if any, has been made of the effect of port fees payable under the new arrangements on freight rates across Cook Strait, compared with fees payable under the current arrangements?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

Considerable assessment, which you can read more about in this speech: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/common-sense-back-helm

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What proportion, if any, of the $100 million contributed by CentrePort and the $110 million contributed by Port Marlborough is expected to be recovered through port fees paid by KiwiRail, and over what period?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

100%, to be recovered across the lift of the respective assets funded by those contributions.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How much of the $1.9 billion total programme cost for the ferry replacement programme is not counted within the $1.704 billion taxpayer contribution, and who bears each component of that difference?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

$1.924 billion minus $1.704 billion equals $220 million. $110 million from Port Marlborough. $100 million from CentrePort, and $10 million from the NZTA. Again, you can read about all of this in our speech:…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What is the current total forecast cost of the Cook Strait Ferry Replacement Programme, broken down by vessel construction, Wellington port infrastructure, Picton port infrastructure, programme management and contingency?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

This was all announced on 17 July 2026. Ship contracts: $596 million All Picton works: $493 million All Wellington Works: $409 million Programme management and total contingencies: $426 million

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    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…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What is the cost to KiwiRail of relaunching the NZ Connect coastal shipping service, and what freight volumes is it forecast to carry during the 2026 and 2027 maintenance periods?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

NZ Connect is a commercial service, meaning the costs to serve are less than the revenue it generates. The specific numbers in revenue and volume terms cannot be released as KiwiRail has a right to go about its commercial activities…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many sailings were cancelled across the Interislander fleet in each of the 2023/24, 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years, and what was the estimated revenue impact of those cancellations?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

We are delighted by your question. The following table shows the marked improvement in Interislander reliability while we have been responsible for the ferries. Under the previous Government, total executed sailings dropped to 81% in 2021…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What estimate, if any, has been made of the economic cost of reduced Cook Strait ferry capacity during planned maintenance periods between 2026 and 2028, including any estimate of lost productivity or supply chain cost?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

Zero. The ferries continue to meet market demand.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What modelling, if any, has KiwiRail or Ferry Holdings undertaken on the volume of freight expected to move off Cook Strait during planned one-ship maintenance periods between 2026 and 2028, and what were the results?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

Ferry Holdings has no responsibility for the operation of the Interislander to 2029. KiwiRail undertakes such modelling, which informs their decision to schedule maintenance periods during the low demand period so that a one-ship fleet can…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many days has the Interislander operated a one-ship schedule in each calendar year since 2024, and how many days is it forecast to operate a one-ship schedule in each of 2026, 2027 and 2028?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

There is no readily available record of this data in previous years. The current arrangement is from 22 June to late September 2026. There will be maintenance periods in the coming years, but wet and dry dock scheduling is a commercial…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What was the total cost of demolishing the Aratere's wharf in Picton, and what proceeds, if any, were received from the disposal of the Aratere itself?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

The demolition of the wharf is in the low millions. The exact figure is not able to be disclosed at this time. The Aratere was disposed of through a commercial agreement between KiwiRail and the scrapyard which saw the vessel purchased by…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What assessment, if any, has been made of the additional heavy vehicle movements on State Highway 1 attributable to road-bridging of Cook Strait rail freight, and what is the estimated additional road maintenance cost?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

Rail freight is loaded from trains onto trailers at KiwiRail’s CT sites in Wellington and Picton, which are both close to or part of the ferry terminals. This freight does not travel on SH1.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What estimate, if any, has been made of the volume of freight that has permanently transferred from rail to road as a result of the loss of a rail-enabled Cook Strait vessel, and what is the estimated annual revenue impact on KiwiRail?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

Nothing in life is permanent. Rail will be back on the Strait again in 2029, and we believe rail will be a great success for another 30 year generation.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What volume of rail freight, measured in net tonne kilometres or wagon equivalents, has been road-bridged across Cook Strait in each quarter since the Aratere was retired in August 2025?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

This is not information held by a shareholding Minister. KiwiRail has a right to go about its commercial activities, including whether to release freight volumes on a specific service, without prejudice or disadvantage.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    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…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What has been the total cost of drydock and layby maintenance undertaken overseas for Interislander vessels since 1 January 2024, broken down by vessel and by location?

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…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, if any, has the Minister received on the expected maintenance cost of the Interislander fleet in the event that the delivery of Kupe and Cook is delayed beyond 2029?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

None, as the ferries and infrastructure programme remain 'on track.'

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What amount, if any, of Interislander maintenance expenditure since December 2023 would not have been required had the vessels ordered under Project iReX been delivered in 2025 and 2026 as originally scheduled?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

Maintenance is required whether ships are new or a century old. The exact amounts allocated to vessel maintenance is not able to be disclosed as Interislander competes in an open market. Also, those ferries might have arrived in 2026 but…

Questions published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Questions

  • 39684 (matches this search)

    What was the total cost of the fleet life-extension programme recommended following the DNV assessment of the Interislander fleet, and how much of that has been spent to date?

  • 39685 (matches this search)

    What is the forecast Interislander fleet maintenance expenditure for each of the 2026/27, 2027/28 and 2028/29 financial years?

  • 39687 (matches this search)

    What has been the Interislander's total fleet maintenance expenditure in each of the 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

This information cannot be disclosed to you as it is commercially sensitive. In business, it is not common to publish your detailed cost structures in public for the benefit of your competitor. We are more than happy to continue providing…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What amount, if any, of expenditure on Project iReX has been capitalised into the current ferry replacement programme rather than written off, and what does that expenditure consist of?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

We looked into this last year and we were astonished to find that only $85 million of the $671 million spent on iReX resulted in built infrastructure. $222 million reflected the costs incurred by the shipyard and their suppliers. That…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What land, property, consents or design work, if any, was acquired or commissioned for Project iReX that is not being used in the current Cook Strait Ferry Replacement Programme, and what was the cost of each?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

None. Because in the no-nonsense ferry replacement programme, we are using what is already in place to minimise duplication. There might be minor consenting works in Picton, but the bulk are occurring under existing consents.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What was the total book value of materials, plant and equipment procured for Project iReX that were subsequently sold, scrapped or written off, and what amount, if any, was recovered through their sale?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

This information has not been released. To the extent that the information could be released, KiwiRail did so here: https://www.kiwirail.co.nz/media/kiwirail-concludes-irex-ferry-replacement-project/

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What is the total cost to the Crown of the cancellation and wind-down of Project iReX as at 30 June 2026, and does this figure differ from the $671 million reported by KiwiRail in August 2025; if so, why?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

Sadly, regrettably, outrageously, and disgracefully – iReX spent $671 million with barely anything to show for it. That number has not changed since, as the project was cancelled. Had it not been cancelled, it was on course to cost $4…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What amount, if any, has been spent on iReX-related wind-down activity since the settlement with Hyundai Mipo Dockyard was concluded in August 2025, and what did that expenditure relate to?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

Zero, as the project was cancelled. Refer to the responses to WPQ 39690 (2026) and 39686 (2026).

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Vanushi Walters

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What communications plan or media strategy, if any, was prepared in relation to the timing of the ministers' arrival at the 2026 Pacific Islands Forum, and was it approved by the Minister of Foreign Affairs?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Vanushi Walters

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Does the Government accept that New Zealand's absence from the formal Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting on 2 September 2026 was, as reported, regarded by forum participants as disrespectful to the forum?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs

Answer

No.