New Role
I am honoured to be unanimously elected by my colleagues to be Chief Government Whip which means I am now responsible for liaising with the leadership and ensuring that the business of the House is undertaken in an efficient and timely manner. Historically, I am the 31st person to hold this role and just the ninth South Islander!
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Interislander Ferries
For years, we’ve taken it as gospel that rail-enabled ferries are the backbone of efficient freight movement across the Cook Strait, but are they?
Let’s start with a simple truth: freight doesn’t care how it travels, as long as it gets there on time and in one piece. The choice of transport mode boils down to a juggling act of factors – type of goods, size, weight and time sensitivity. Flexibility is the key for businesses and consumers, and that’s where road freight shines, accounting for up to 92.8 per cent of all freight movements in New Zealand when measured in tonnes compared with just 5.6 per cent for rail.
Nevertheless, whilst road transport has the speed and flexibility for just-in-time freight, when it comes to heavier bulky freight, rail has the edge, particularly over longer distances.
But are rail-enabled ferries essential for rail freight? A viable alternative to rail-enabled ferries is road bridging, which allows for the continued use of rail for long-distance land transport while using rubber-tyred trailers on the ferry for crossing Cook Strait. While some may express concerns about potential delays due to additional handling requirements, it’s important to note that the primary factor affecting transit times in ferry operations is vessel turnaround, rather than the specific mode of transport used on board.
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Overlooking Picton Marina.
Furthermore, road bridging offers advantages in terms of space utilisation on ferries. Rubber tyred trailers can be loaded more densely than rail carriages. This increased capacity per crossing can result in a reduced number of trips, yielding both economic and environmental benefits through decreased fuel consumption and emissions.
And let’s not forget the job creation potential. More handling at ports means more hands-on deck, breathing new life into our coastal communities.
Still sceptical? In 2016, KiwiRail, Centre Port and Port Marlborough travelled to Europe to look at ferry options and were surprised to find only one rail-enabled ferry in operation, which was soon to be retired in favour of road bridging. This is fast becoming the preferred choice, even in traditional rail strongholds. It’s not about abandoning rail but about using each freight transport mode where it makes the most sense.
Rail-enabled ferries have served us well, but it’s time to recognise that they’re not the only way to bridge the gap. By considering the flexibility of road bridging, we can create a more efficient, responsive and future-proof freight network across the Cook Strait and beyond.
There has been much hand wringing out of the false premise that rail can only succeed with rail-enabled ferries. This is not the case. It is important that there is a balanced debate to ensure that whichever option is chosen to replace KiwiRail’s current ferries, their usefulness will not be solely defined by whether or not they are rail enabled.
Out And About
It’s been a busy month with events and meetings across the electorate and at parliament. To name a few... opening Climate Action Week 2025, attending the Kaikōura A&P Show, Marlborough Wine & Food Festival, official opening of the Waimea Dam, 100 year anniversary of the Cheviot Golf Club, welcoming the Women in Wine field trip group in Waipara, National Lamb Day in parliament, science visits with Minister Reti in Blenheim, business visits with Te Ātiawa, TCC Boats, Waikawa Bay Holiday Park and Whale Watch Kaikōura.
Also joining with Marlborough District Council to welcome new citizens, meeting students at Queen Charlotte College in Picton, attending functions with the British High Commission and Federated Farmers in Wellington, catching up with mayors in my electorate and hearing about visitor trends from Destination Marlborough and Destination Kaikōura.
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Amanda and Nick from Ecozip Adventures showing me the harness equipment.
A special shout out to one of Kaikōura’s newest businesses, Ecozip Adventures, who have already taken more than 8,000 ziplining with the youngest being just six years old and the oldest 90 years of age! Worth mentioning to family and friends for another option of how to enjoy our unique place in the world.
Largest Dark Sky Sanctuary in NZ
As many readers know, the endangered Hutton’s Shearwater is a rare seabird that breeds only in the Kaikōura Ranges and this is the time of the year when the fledgling birds can literally fall from the sky in crash landings due to light disorientation. Reducing artificial light outdoors is the best way to support their flight path to the sea.
Our dark skies are not only great for helping to prevent these ‘crash landings’ but are also good for star gazing, which is of increasing interest to visitors. It was great to see state-of-the-art telescopes from Moana Skies on display at the recent Kaikōura A&P Show. If you are hosting visitors, do let them know about the opportunity to do a stargazing tour in New Zealand’s largest dark sky sanctuary.
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Photo credit: JWPK Photography
Getting Things Done
- for the first time since 2018, violent crime, assaults and serious assaults have all fallen under our National-led government with 24,000 fewer victims in the year ending October 2024
- $34.2m over five years to increase nurse practitioner training places in primary care settings for better healthcare access
- $100,000 available to rural support groups and organisations that work with farmers on the ground in drought affected regions including Marlborough – Tasman, Northland, Waikato and Horizons. Rural Support Trust can be contacted on 0800 787 254 or MPI’s On Farm Support team on 0800 707 133 for support.
- $9 million invested in the Great Rides cycle infrastructure and $30 million invested in conservation tourism helping to create jobs and boost regional economies
