30352 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister for Rail

Written Question

Published date: 20 Jul 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	30352 (2026)
Question asked:	02 Jul 2026
Member asking:	Tangi Utikere
Portfolio:	Minister for Rail
Minister replying:	Rt Hon Winston Peters
Answer received:	13 Jul 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_30352_2026
Document guid:	42f53cd6-12ff-42f2-a9f5-449f6df52203

30352 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister for Rail: What is the programmed construction-start date for each of the two new Cook Strait ferries at Guangzhou Shipyard International?

Rt Hon Winston Peters: Construction begins in 2027, after design is completed as is standard. Ships generally take 18-24 months to build, which gets us to 2029. Exact dates have not been released, except to say ships will be ready for service in 2029.