Ferry 'Perfect Storm' Fails to Arrive
Interislander’s ferry Kaitaki returned from maintenance ahead of schedule, resuming service to ensure full vessel capacity before peak travel months.
Rail Minister Winston Peters announced Interislander will soon operate its full fleet of vessels, with Kaitaki returning from scheduled dry-dock maintenance on 21 September and resuming sailings on 26 September. Peters dismissed predictions of a ferry crisis, stating the maintenance programme proceeded as planned despite weather challenges and a brief Bluebridge ferry issue. The Cook Strait remained operational, enabling uninterrupted freight and passenger movements throughout the maintenance period.
Dry-dock work on Kaitaki included propeller and rudder component repairs, steering and stabiliser system checks, and a full hull clean with repainting. A new silicone-based coating was applied to reduce marine growth and improve fuel efficiency, ensuring the vessel meets safety and reliability standards until new ferries arrive in 2029.
Interislander’s reliability reached 100% in the year to date, an improvement from 99% in the last financial year and significantly higher than the 82% in 2021 and 84% in 2022 recorded under the previous government. Peters attributed this progress to disciplined maintenance and the efforts of operational staff, including masters, engineers, and crews.
Peters praised the Interislander team for maintaining service reliability while critics predicted failure, emphasizing that routine maintenance is essential for safe and efficient ferry operations. The government highlighted the successful completion of maintenance as a demonstration of operational competence ahead of the busier spring and summer travel season.