National Road Carriers Responds To KiwiRail Announcement To Retire Aratere

National Road Carriers supports KiwiRail’s decision to retire the Aratere and begin the port redevelopment in Picton to pave the way for New Zealand’s new rail-enabled ferries arriving in 2029. This is a critical step in future-proofing our inter-island transport network.

While the retirement of the Aratere marks the end of a long-serving vessel in New Zealand’s freight and customer operations, we acknowledge the careful planning KiwiRail has undertaken to manage the transition. Maintaining safe and reliable freight connections across Cook Strait is essential for our members and the customers they serve.

We welcome KiwiRail’s commitment to continue operating a two-ship service with Kaitaki and Kaiārahi, and to prioritise freight throughout the transition period. The decision to enhance road-bridging capacity to carry rail freight ensures that critical freight flows between the North and South Islands will be maintained at a high standard.

The assurance that existing customers will be rebooked, and that freight continuity remains a top priority, provides our members and the broader freight industry with confidence. We also support KiwiRail’s intent to consult with the freight market during this period to ensure operational arrangements are practical and effective.

Ultimately, this work lays the foundation for a stronger, more resilient transport link that will benefit freight operators, their customers, and all New Zealanders in the years ahead.

James Smith, GM Policy & Advocacy, National Road Carriers

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