30354 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister for Rail

Written Question

Published date: 22 Jul 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	30354 (2026)
Question asked:	02 Jul 2026
Member asking:	Tangi Utikere
Portfolio:	Minister for Rail
Minister replying:	Rt Hon Winston Peters
Answer received:	15 Jul 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Corrected Reply
Document ID:	WQ_30354_2026
Document guid:	9ec2491e-96f8-4207-ab38-4bf1c31a790c

30354 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister for Rail: Has Ferry Holdings Limited issued a formal notice to proceed, or equivalent instruction, authorising Guangzhou Shipyard International to begin building the two new Cook Strait ferries, and if so, on what date?

Rt Hon Winston Peters: Corrected reply: Yes, as a fixed price contract was entered on 15 November 2025. We are aware of the "Cook Strait Gossip and Drama New Zealand" Facebook post you appear to have garnered your information from and suggest you do not believe everything you read on the internet.