56378 (2025). Tangi Utikere to the Minister for Rail

Written Question

Published date: 17 Dec 2025

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	56378 (2025)
Question asked:	03 Dec 2025
Member asking:	Tangi Utikere
Portfolio:	Minister for Rail
Minister replying:	Rt Hon Winston Peters
Answer received:	11 Dec 2025
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_56378_2025
Document guid:	5834a4d3-c297-441a-af22-dae02a8a1661

56378 (2025). Tangi Utikere to the Minister for Rail: What independent analysis has been undertaken to verify that the new ferries’ hull design will allow them to travel at 20 knots through the Marlborough Sounds without producing disruptive wave energy, if any?

Rt Hon Winston Peters: Thorough analysis has been undertaken. In responding to the Request For Proposal, shipyards were required to include a preliminary calculation of the wave energy of the proposed hull forms at a range of speeds. This calculation had to be made in accordance with the methodology accepted by the Marlborough District Council. These wave energy calculations were then checked by Ferry Holdings’ naval architects.