Story perspectives

Peters Requests Ferry Backup; KiwiRail Calls Lease Uneconomic

7/14/2026

Summary

Story summary

Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters asked KiwiRail to assess extra ferry options and costs during maintenance.
The service will run with one ferry for about 80 days while Kaiarahi and Kaitaki are serviced.
KiwiRail chairwoman Suzanne Tindal said leasing a spare vessel is uneconomic and withheld cost figures.
Labour transport spokesperson Tangi Utikere accused Peters of seeking an insurance policy, saying reliability is near 100% versus 81% in 2021.

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Story summary

Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters asked KiwiRail to assess extra ferry options and costs during maintenance.
The service will run with one ferry for about 80 days while Kaiarahi and Kaitaki are serviced.
KiwiRail chairwoman Suzanne Tindal said leasing a spare vessel is uneconomic and withheld cost figures.
Labour transport spokesperson Tangi Utikere accused Peters of seeking an insurance policy, saying reliability is near 100% versus 81% in 2021.