A ministerial advisory group made up of transport and logistics experts has been formed to help direct the future of KiwiRail’s inter-island ferry service.
State Owned Enterprises Minister Paul Goldsmith has announced the appointment of Nelson Airport chief executive Mark Thompson who will chair the advisory group. He will be joined by a further two members, Mark Cairns and Roger Sowry.
It comes following the Government’s axing of KiwiRail’s Inter-island Resilient Connection (iReX) Project which was carrying a price tag of up to $3 billion related to harbourside infrastructure along with two new Interislander ferries.
“It’s important for New Zealand that KiwiRail is focused on ensuring safe, resilient, and reliable ferry services over the short to medium term while longer term solutions for the Cook Strait connection are developed,” Goldsmith says.
Thompson has had a 30-year career in logistics and transport operations with senior executive roles in Australasia, the United States, China and the Philippines, leading public and private service focused organisations.
Cairns also brings extensive logistics and transport experience. He is currently a director of Freightways and Auckland International Airport. He also has experience in infrastructure, construction, contracting and capital markets that will be valuable for the advisory group.
Sowry is a professional director with considerable governance expertise. His current and previous director roles span companies in several sectors including technology, health, infrastructure and energy. He is also a former member of Parliament and cabinet minister.
“New Zealanders want to see ferry services on Cook Strait provided efficiently in a competitive market, that integrate with the wider transport system and support the economy.
“In December, the Government committed to establishing the independent advisory group to give us assurance that these objectives will be met,” Goldsmith says.
