39675 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister for Rail

Written Question

Published date: 21 Sep 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	39675 (2026)
Question asked:	07 Sep 2026
Member asking:	Tangi Utikere
Portfolio:	Minister for Rail
Minister replying:	Rt Hon Winston Peters
Answer received:	15 Sep 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_39675_2026
Document guid:	edbc266b-684c-44b2-8763-9c5e1f05dc2e

39675 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister for Rail: How many days has the Interislander operated a one-ship schedule in each calendar year since 2024, and how many days is it forecast to operate a one-ship schedule in each of 2026, 2027 and 2028?

Rt Hon Winston Peters: There is no readily available record of this data in previous years. The current arrangement is from 22 June to late September 2026. There will be maintenance periods in the coming years, but wet and dry dock scheduling is a commercial matter which is confirmed once companies have booked them. We understand Bluebridge and Interislander coordinate these activities to maintain a three-ship total fleet during these periods, and both schedule maintenance during the less busy winter period.