The Maritime Union of New Zealand says pressure is mounting on the Government to provide leadership on the Cook Strait ferries.
One year ago, then National Party opposition Transport Spokesperson Simeon Brown described the Cook Strait ferries as the “the biggest pothole on State Highway 1” after multiple technical problems with ageing ships.
In August 2023, he then described the current ferries as causing “significant safety concerns.”
Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison says the future of Cook Strait has now become a “black hole not a pot hole” in our transport network, due to the Government’s demolition of the iRex project.
“Despite his strong criticisms prior to being elected, we have not heard a peep out of Transport Minister Simeon Brown recently about the future of the Cook Strait as a key transport link.”
He says the new Government’s iRex decision in late 2023 has left the future of the interisland ferries in limbo.
Mr Harrison says many industry figures and commentators from across the political spectrum have expressed concerns about the future of the Cook Strait connection and the logic of the Government decision.
He says there is a danger that New Zealand will end up with a cheap, sub-optimal ferry option that will see ongoing disruption and safety issues.
“The long term cost may end up a lot higher.”
Mr Harrison says the Government may still have to walk back its hasty call to can the new ferries and terminals.
KiwiRail will appear before the Transport and Infrastructure Select Committee at Parliament on Thursday 15 February.
Our new Governments does not care about our Ferries and most of them probably fly and don’t give a rats arse
When are people in this fucken country going to wake up. And the Bluebridge ain’t exactly a reliable service either. Let’s wait till the ferries get stuck again and we can all blame Nicola.
Simple Simeon is a 10 year old going on three.
A constant whinger but when elected and having to put on big boys trousers, he stayed in nappies . This government will bring the country to a standstill.
Yes, the new government is a total shitshow so far. Willis is so far out of her depth that she’s starting to make Liz Truss look competent.