The Maritime Union of New Zealand is warning of a “winter of discontent” on the Cook Strait route as ongoing technical issues affect ferry services.
The warning follows the cancellation of several Interislander sailings after the ferry Kaiārahi developed an intermittent technical fault while berthing in Wellington early on Saturday morning.
The vessel cancelled sailings over the weekend and on Monday while repairs and testing were carried out during a scheduled maintenance lay-by. Passengers and freight were either rebooked or refunded.
Maritime Union of New Zealand national secretary Carl Findlay says the disruption highlights the need for an emergency response vessel to support the Cook Strait fleet.
He says the latest incident reflects broader reliability issues across the ageing Cook Strait ferry fleet.
“We are seeing a fleet that is wearing out before our eyes.
“These ‘intermittent faults’ are becoming the norm rather than the exception. Safety must be the priority, and while we support the decision to cancel sailings rather than risk lives, New Zealanders deserve a reliable service.”
The union says resilience on the route will be further reduced later this year when vessels are taken out of service for maintenance.
“Between late June and late September 2026, Interislander’s resilience will be severely reduced as the Kaiārahi undergoes a scheduled lay-by and the Kaitaki enters dry dock. During these periods, Interislander is scheduled to operate on a one-ship timetable at times,” Findlay says.
“When maintenance schedules take ships out of service for weeks at a time, and the remaining fleet is prone to technical failures, New Zealand is one breakdown away from a transport crisis.”
The union also criticised the Government’s decision to end the contract for the emergency tug MMA Vision months ahead of schedule, saying it reduces maritime safety capacity.
“The government needs to invest in this critical safety infrastructure,” Findlay says.
“The arrival of new ferries is still years away. We cannot wait years for a safe solution while our current ships are struggling. We need an emergency response vessel now to ensure the safety of crew and passengers, and the reliability of New Zealand’s most important transport link.”
