39680 (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:	39680 (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_39680_2026
Document guid:	9896e5a2-60f6-493f-b9a6-d8df689e4431

39680 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister for Rail: What is the annual cost of road-bridging rail freight across Cook Strait following the retirement of the Aratere, and how does this compare with the cost of carrying the same freight on a rail-enabled vessel?

Rt Hon Winston Peters: This is commercial information held by KiwiRail and will not be disclosed. KiwiRail has a right to go about its commercial activities without prejudice or disadvantage. As previously advised, in business it is reasonable to withhold core costs from disclosure to avoid handing information to competitors and suppliers.