Serious concerns over Aratere ferry removal
The loss of the rail-enabled Aratere, a crucial link between the North and South Islands, significantly weakens the resilience of New Zealand’s national supply chain.
Read MoreMaritime Union of New Zealand
Representing New Zealand maritime workers since 2002
KiwiRail
Rail-enabled ferries a victory for common sense
The Maritime Union has welcomed today’s announcement from Minister of Rail Winston Peters the two new Cook Strait ferries will be publicly owned and rail enabled, meaning that they can carry rail wagons.
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Kaitaki sentencing underscores need for new ferries
KiwiRail has been fined $432,500 for a charge under the Health and Safety at Work Act brought by industry regulator Maritime New Zealand, following loss of engine power on the Interislander ferry Kaitaki on Saturday 28 January 2023.
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Ferry fiasco hangs over PM’s South Korea trip
Sorting out the mess his Finance Minister has made of the interisland ferries deal should be the key outcome of the Prime Minister’s visit to South Korea, says the Maritime Union of New Zealand.
Read MoreFinance Minister needs to explain ferry decision cost to taxpayer
The cancellation cost for the iRex ship build is likely to come in at more than NZ $300 million, and could run up to a maximum cost approaching a half a billion dollars (NZD) at current rates.
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Government ferry decision a case of political steering failure
The Government’s U-turn on purchasing new Interislander ferries is the predictable but costly outcome of flawed decision making.
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Ferry debacle means New Zealand is ‘steering blind’
The latest development in the ferry saga is a suggestion KiwiRail might exit the Cook Strait ferries altogether.
Read MoreProsecution exposes lack of Government ferry plan
The Maritime Union is calling on the Government to review its decision to dump planned new Cook Strait ferries after the prosecution of a ferry operator.
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