19842 (2026). Hon Julie Anne Genter to the Minister for Rail

Written Question

Published date: 05 Jun 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	19842 (2026)
Question asked:	20 May 2026
Member asking:	Hon Julie Anne Genter
Portfolio:	Minister for Rail
Minister replying:	Rt Hon Winston Peters
Answer received:	01 Jun 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_19842_2026
Document guid:	ac235e3c-fb06-48a5-8872-9d0b1b83b23e

19842 (2026). Hon Julie Anne Genter to the Minister for Rail: Has the percentage of freight crossing the Cook Strait by rail (i.e. arriving at the Cook Strait by rail and carrying on on the other side by rail) changed since the Aratere was retired, if so by how much?

Rt Hon Winston Peters: Yes. We do not have a specific percentage and would not reveal KiwiRail's commercial information in any case. This said, rail freight is prioritised for capacity on the strait. Rail freight is currently transferred from rail wagons to truck decks at either end of the Cook Strait, and the vase bulk remains on the InterIslander. To assist in the dry dock period, where only one ship will be sailing, KiwiRail has established the NZ Connect service to make use of coastal shipping. Once new ferries arrive in 2029, shunting rail freight directly onto the InterIslander will resume for another generation of service.