19th February 2024 Ferry / Port MarlboroughPort Marlborough says the wharf and infrastructure at Picton and the Interislander wharf could last until beyond 2029 if the right maintenance programme is in place.
16th February 2024 Ferry / KiwiRailAn independent ministerial advisory group led by Nelson Airport’s chief executive Mark Thompson has been set up to determine the future of KiwiRail’s Interislander service.
24th October 2023 Ferry / Island DirectNew ferry operator Island Direct will launch its service between Auckland city and Waiheke Island on 13 November 2023.
25th September 2023 Explore Group / FerryExplore Group has launched sailings to Auckland’s Rotoroa Island.
18th August 2023 Ferry / Fullers360Fullers360 is making further cuts to its Auckland Transport services for up to 18 months as it doubles down on staff training programme.
2nd August 2023 Ferry / InterislanderThe ferry operator’s boss says it has “doubled down” on maintenance to ensure a strong-looking summer ahead is not plagued by problems.
29th June 2023 Auckland Transport / FerryAuckland Transport says it will introduce a hybrid-electric ferry on its Devonport services from 2026.
20th June 2023 Ferry / KiwiRailKiwiRail plans to sell its Valentine ferry to free up funding and crew for further passenger and freight ferries.
14th April 2023 Ferry / TAICThe incident happened between Russell and Paihia after a recreational vessel and the Waitere ferry collided.
11th April 2023 Ferry / GovernmentThe transport sector agreement is being extended to help ferry businesses access workers.
11th April 2023 Ferry / InterislanderThe Kaitaki ferry will be back in full service tomorrow, Wednesday 12 April, after being out of service since 4 March due to a gearbox issue.
30th March 2023 Ferry / Fullers360Fullers360 is reducing fares from Auckland to Waiheke Island during off-peak hours, in a move its chief executive says will make a positive difference to passengers, tourism operators and Waiheke Island business owners.
28th March 2023 Ferry / InterislanderKiwiRail’s Interislander says almost all passengers with bookings during Easter will be able cross the Cook Strait.
22nd March 2023 FerryMayor Nadine Taylor and Greater Wellington Regional Council Chair Daran Ponter have jointly written to Transport Minister Michael Wood, expressing concerns about the lack of support for ships in the Cook Strait.
13th March 2023 Destination Marlborough / FerryA “perfect storm” of ferry maintenance work and breakdowns have caused accommodation shortages and heartache for travellers looking to cross the Cook Strait.
28th February 2023 Ferry / KiwiRailThe Cook Strait operators are accused of flouting compensation rules but they may not have to meet the same standard as airlines.
16th February 2023 Ferry / RailMaritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison has expressed concern that plans to upgrade the Wellington and Picton ferry terminals may be scaled back.
31st January 2023 Ferry / KiwiRailThe Maritime Union has criticised the failure of an engine in the Kaitaki ferry as being an indication of an aging fleet.
25th November 2022 East by West / FerryEasy By West Ferries and Hutt City Council have raised concerns over young people jumping into the direct line of ferries on the northern side of Days Bay wharf near Wellington.
9th November 2022 Entrada / FerryEntrada Travel Group has secured a twenty-year contract to operate the Noosa North Shore Vehicle Ferry, on behalf of the Noosa Council in Queensland, Australia.
26th October 2022 Ferry / TransportQueenstown public transport users will now be able to use their Bee Card to travel on ferry services from today.
9th September 2022 Auckland Transport / FerryAt 24 metres long, the fleet will largest fully electric ferries in the Southern Hemisphere.
31st August 2022 Bluebridge / FerryBluebridge Cook Strait Ferries owner StraitNZ Holdings has reported a net profit of $17.15m for the year to March 2022, up 64% from the previous period.
9th August 2022 Ferry / Fullers360Auckland ferry services to Devonport and Waiheke Island are now using Auckland Transport’s AT HOP Card following their successful integration into the public transport network.
25th July 2022 Ferry / KiwiRailAn upcoming project to rebuild the Picton ferry terminal has been celebrated with a public information day, held on Saturday.
2nd June 2022 Environment / FerryAuckland Council will invest “hundreds of millions of dollars” into six or seven new electric and low-emissions ferries as part of climate action proposal within Annual Budget 2022/23.
8th March 2022 Ferry / RailMarlborough District Council has approved a $110m loan to Port Marlborough to finance its share of the Waitohi Picton Ferry Precinct Redevelopment.
17th December 2021 Ferry / MarineThe southern hemisphere’s first fully electric, high speed commuter ferry launches today in Wellington.
3rd December 2021 Ferry / Fullers360Fullers360 will welcome non-resident travellers to Waiheke Island from today as the traffic light Covid-19 Protection Framework begins.
11th November 2021 DOC / FerryFullers360 will start sailings to the Hauraki Gulf conservation islands for recreational visitors from tomorrow, Friday 12 November.
5th November 2021 FerryThe Wellington ferry firm has suddenly found itself a world leader in electric ferries.
17th September 2021 Ferry / KiwiRailReduced ferry services across the Cook Strait is leaving supply chains vulnerable in the event of a crisis, says the Maritime Union of New Zealand.
30th August 2021 Ferry / TransportTransport unions are asking whether the fuel type for the new inter-island ferries can be switched to a more environmentally-friendly option.
26th August 2021 Ferry / KiwiRailKiwiRail, CentrePort and Port Marlborough are seeking a single design partner for the delivery of two new ferry terminals.
25th August 2021 DOC / FerryThe Department of Conservation is requesting proposals for a commercial ferry service to Tiritiri Matangi Island in the Hauraki Gulf.
9th August 2021 FerryWellington local ferry company East By West is set to launch New Zealand’s first electric passenger ferry on 9 September.
20th July 2021 Ferry / TransportSeatoun Wharf in Wellington will close on 23 July or 12 months for repairs and upgrades.
5th February 2021 Ferry / InterislanderInterislander passenger numbers for December and January were about 20% down on the same period the previous year, says KiwiRail.
17th December 2020 Ferry / KiwiRailKiwiRail plans to build a new ferry terminal at its current Kaiwharawhara terminal within four years to support its new Interislander ferries.
19th October 2020 Ferry / KiwiRailKiwiRail’s Kaitaki Interislander ferry will resume its ‘Bands on Board’ initiative for travelling musicians over summer.
14th October 2020 FerryFullers360 will add an additional 86 services to and from Waiheke Island from Monday 19 October.
28th May 2020 Ferry / KiwiRailKiwiRail’s proposed new ferries will be able to carry almost 2000 passengers.
22nd May 2020 FerryLyttelton-based Black Cat Cruises has been awarded the contract for the Diamond Harbour ferry service for the next 12 years.
21st April 2020 EV / FerryEast By West Ferries operates the Wellington to Days Bay to Eastbourne ferry route and plans a new ferry service from central Wellington to the airport and Miramar Peninsula.
20th April 2020 Ferry / TransportA passenger ferry service between Kawau Island and Auckland’s mainland will continue so residents can replenish supplies and access essential services.
17th April 2020 Ferry / KiwiRailKiwiRail’s Interislander ferries have moved around 650 essential transport, medical and export industry workers between the North and South Islands in the past fortnight.
15th April 2020 Ferry / FundingThe Otago Regional Council will open online consultation on a proposed 18-month trial of a public service water ferry on Lake Wakatipu.
25th March 2020 Covid-19 / FerryPolice in Picton say they are providing traffic management support at the ferry terminals in the town due to heavy congestion.
31st January 2020 Ferry / QueenstownGo Orange’s Lake Wakatipu ferry service has been thrown a lifeline as the Otago Regional Council proposes adding a water ferry to Queenstown’s public transport network.
21st January 2020 FerryAuckland Transport has announced its annual fare changes which come into effect from 9 February 2020.
