Peters privately explored new Interislander ferry after saying one 'would not make sense'

Ethan ManeraWellington Reporter·NZ Herald·14 Jul, 2026 02:00 AM4 mins to read‌The Government has unveiled designs and specifications of new Cook Strait ferries set to sail in 2029.Rail Minister Winston Peters privately asked KiwiRail to investigate acquiring an additional Interislander ferry to bolster the strained Cook Strait service, less than two weeks after publicly insisting “it would not make sense” to do so.

A letter released under the Official Information Act shows Peters instructed KiwiRail to look

Peters privately explored new Interislander ferry after saying one 'would not make sense'

Other newsrooms on this story

Related reading

Watch: Winston Peters to make Cook Strait ferries announcement

Kupe and Cook: Names of new Cook Strait ferries announced

Peters bracing for backlash from ‘snivelling wokesters’ over new ferry name

New Zealand taps Chinese shipbuilder

KiwiRail kept ferry resilience warnings secret until Ombudsman intervened

New Zealand minister names new ferry after Captain Cook