Podcasts about Cook Strait

There is a new ferry in Wellington Harbour - and it looks remarkably similar to an existing one. Bluebridge's new ferry Livia has arrived in the capital - the sister ship to the existing Connemara vessel already operated by Bluebridge. The ship, built in 2008, was previously operated by a ferry line in Europe, but has since had a fresh lick of paint and is currently undergoing internal renovations ahead of its first voyage across the Cook Strait in about two weeks. Nick was invited on a tour of the new ship, as well as a chat with Bluebridge/Strait NZ chief executive Shane McMahon. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The team purchasing the newly public-owned Cook Strait ferries says the process can't be compared to private contractors. Kiwirail's new ferries aren't expected to be in service until Christmas 2029. Ferry Holdings Chair, Chris Mackenzie, says part of the issue is the Government is buying new ferries - not second-hand. He also told Heather du Plessis-Allan they fulfil different needs, with the Government providing a year-round service, which the private sector can't afford. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bluebridge's new ferry arrived in Wellington this morning, drawing in the crowds at Oriental Bay. The Livia is from Denmark - and it can hold more than 400 passengers, with a 10 percent increase in vehicle capacity. Strait NZ CEO Shane McMahon says the vessel will come into service at the end of the month - and it's an 'exciting' development. "We've invested well over $200 million in the new fleet over the last three years, and we're doing that because obviously, we want to be able to supply safe, reliable services." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More details about infrastructure in Wellington and Picton in Government plans for new Cook Strait ferries. CentrePort, Port Marlborough, and KiwiRail have agreed a plan to re-use and strengthen the Wellington wharf servicing Interislander's Aratere - and to re-use terminals both sides of the Strait. Minister for Rail Winston Peters says the Government won't consider privatisation - and he's just looking to make sure Kiwis stay informed. "We're not about to make the same mistake a second time." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I don't like this idea David Seymour's pushing of privatising the Interislander ferry service and getting a private operator to run it, instead of KiwiRail. And if I was to sum up why I'm opposed to it as succinctly as I could, it would come down to just two words and one number. State Highway 1. Tell that to the ACT leader and Deputy Prime Minister, though. He's saying the Government doesn't need to own the ferries and that it would make sense for the Government to get its money out of the ferry business and use it to pay off debt or build things like roads. He reckons that history shows that governments are the worst at running businesses, and reckons private operators would do a much better job of owning and operating the ferries. But I think that would be too much of a gamble when you consider that Cook Strait isn't just a stretch of water, it's actually part of State Highway 1. And I wouldn't be happy having two private operators being responsible for getting us across that stretch of it. Because with private operators, they're only in it if there's a buck to be made. Which I don't have a problem with, but we already have one private operator running services on Cook Strait – would you really want to see that become two private operators? Two private operators who would have every right to pull the pin if they decided it wasn't worth their while continuing? Or what if one of them went under? Would you really be happy with one private operator having a monopoly on Cook Strait? Besides which, this talk of privatising the Interislander is just letting KiwiRail off the hook. You ask people in the street, and most will probably tell you that the Interislander service is pretty unreliable. That may or may not be 100 percent true, but I'm certainly not going to say KiwiRail is doing a brilliant job with the ferries. However, instead of talking about selling off the ferries and giving the job to someone else, the Government should be telling KiwiRail to pull its socks up instead. Because the service it provides between Picton and Wellington is an essential service that needs to stay in the Government's hands. I wouldn't even be up for partial privatisation like Air New Zealand, for example. Someone I was talking to was saying that they thought Air New Zealand was a great advertisement for partial privatisation. Saying that even though quite a few people have a beef with the airline in terms of its fares and where it does and doesn't fly to, you can't argue that the airline is a very well-run business. But that still isn't enough to convince me that it would be a good idea for the Government to wash its hands of the Interislander ferry service. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I don't know who these people or these organisations would be and what on Earth their motivation might be, but it would appear that Treasury has identified several private operators who have expressed an interest in establishing a commercial competitor to Bluebridge with government help. Which basically means the opportunity to privatise the KiwiRail Cook Strait ferries. I don't know why you would do that, where in the world does any kind of public transport make money? I guess where there are profits to be made, Bluebridge has found them. But in a country this small, could two people, two organisations, two interested groups, make money out of the Cook Strait ferry crossing? Earlier this year, Winston Peters took a paper to cabinet, along with Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Transport Minister Chris Bishop, which confirmed a direction to Ferry Holdings —that's the publicly owned companies set up to procure two new Inter Island ferries— to consider options for ferry ownership and operation that will improve efficiency and recycle government capital. What does this mean? Translated into real world speak, that means the Government's looking at letting private operators into owning and running the ferries that the government currently owns and runs, in the hope that efficiency will be improved, and recycling government capital means using private investors money, not taxpayers' money. All very well and good to open it up for expressions of interest, but what I found really staggering is that there are people who are interested in doing just that. As you may have heard on the Mike Hosking Breakfast, Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour is all for allowing private operators into running the ferries. “I have long had the philosophical view that government is not a good operator of commercial enterprises, and there's no shortage of evidence for that. But the reality will be much more persuasive to whoever's in government, you've got to balance the books, and at the moment we own too many underperforming assets. We are really struggling. As a result, the New Zealand people who fund the government as taxpayers are struggling, and there's going to have to be a reckoning. The alternative is people young and talented, keep looking further afield for opportunity and I don't want that.” No, none of us do. But is KiwiRail going to private operators going to be the Great Saviour? I wouldn't have thought so. It's been sold off before and it didn't work then. So he's all for private operators coming in and running state owned assets more efficiently. Equally unsurprising is Winston Peters being against any form of privatisation. He makes the point that NZ First has consistently held the view that taxpayer funded assets should be owned by the taxpayer. As somebody who uses the ferries once in a blue moon, I wouldn't have thought it difficult to have ships that are seaworthy, take people, and cars, and freight over the Cook Strait, and bring them back again. And you need people who can steer the ship, and you need people who can maintain the ships so that they don't break down in the middle of Cook Strait, because that's very bad. If there isn't enough money to be made commercially from doing this as an exercise, as taxpayers we have to fund it because it is State Highway 1. We need to keep it going. So why is it so hard to do that? Why is it so hard to have ships that are seaworthy, captains who can steer them, people who can maintain them? And either we know every year how much it's going to cost us to keep State Highway 1 open, which we have to do, or we allow private operators to run it and make small profit from it. Looking from the outside, I wouldn't have thought it was possible. Bluebridge has been able to do so, but is there room for another private operator? Clearly people think so, but why has it been so troubled? It's a bit like the lovely CEO from Kainga Ora who said really, in effect, the job is quite simple. We build houses for people, and we rent them out. He said it only got difficult when the previous administration wanted to make it a more social enterprise and bring in mixed model housing communities. If you drill down to what the job is, it's actually quite simple. So why have we struggled for decades to run a Cook Strait ferry crossing? It really, from the outside, doesn't seem that difficult. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tourism operators aren't sure whether they'll welcome smooth sailing or face choppy waters once the Interislander service loses one of its ferries. The Aratere retires in August, reducing the Cook Strait fleet to two until the expected arrival of new ones in 2029. KiwiRail operates the service and is confident the remaining ferries can handle the demand. Tess Brunton reports.

On this episode we sit down with Mike and Steff from North Actionsports in New Zealand, diving into the rise of parawinging and their game-changing Ranger parawing. From a daring Cook Strait crossing to decades of kiteboarding roots with pioneer Peter Lynn, they share how the Ranger was born for downwind foiling with safety and ease in mind. This episode uncovers the passion and innovation driving North's foiling revolution.In this episode, you'll discover:Origin Story: A 2022 Cook Strait foil sparked a single-skin wing for self-rescue, inspired by Mike's kiteboarding past.Ranger's Design: Easy to use, durable, and powerful (2.2m to 5.2m), perfect for beginners to advanced downwinders.Key Features: D-Rib tech for less drag, a depower tab for strong winds, and a harness line for upwind ease.Safety Backpack: Stores multiple wings, straps on for offshore trips, and doubles as a safety device.Material Choice: Ripstop nylon with a strong coating for longevity in harsh conditions.Downwind Edge: Grunt to get on foil without paddling, plus board and foil tips.Community Drive: A passion project with North's team, fueled by New Zealand's wild swells.Check out the Ranger at https://northactionsports.com. Join the foiling community and ride the next wave!

It has been revealed that the Government considered using private company Bluebridge to replace the current Interislander fleet. It’s just the latest in the saga that is the Cook Strait ferries, after years of negotiations, debate, and an axed contract. But it’s hardly the first time we’ve had a major transport project face delays and changes. All forms of transport are eyeing big investments, but how long before we actually get some movement? Today on The Front Page, Newstalk ZB political reporter Azaria Howell is with us to dig into the politics behind the country’s transport networks. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us a text After four and a half years of relentless training, countless setbacks, and a swim dream rooted in childhood memories, Mark finally conquered the mighty Cook Strait. What started off as a tribute to long summer days at the Te Awamutu Swimming Baths—run by his late father, Cor—evolved into a powerful personal journey of resilience, love, and legacy. Pushed by a deep family connection to swimming but also a desire to inspire his wife Michelle and their three young children, Mark endured 100 days across three summers waiting for the perfect conditions. When his moment came, he embraced it fully—completing the 27.6 km swim in 7 hours and 15 minutes. In this episode, we dive into the story behind the swim: the cold-water fear, the tidal heartbreaks, the support crew who stood by him, and the voice of his father echoing, “Go Mark,” as he powered across the strait. 

A $1.4 billion upgrade could be on the way for Transpower's Cook Strait electricity cable. The 610 kilometre link is a transmission system connecting the North and South islands, installed in 1991. The existing cables are likely to reach their end of life in the late 2030s. Energy Resources Aotearoa CEO John Carnegie told Mike Hosking the Commerce Commission will need to review that. He says they'll need to ensure the numbers are robust and the programme executable. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transpower says upgrading the Cook Strait electricity cable would come at a very small cost to consumers. It's consulting on a $1.4 billion proposal - to upgrade existing cables and allow for building a fourth. CEO James Kilty says the plan is to get another 40 years of stable electricity. He says because costs will be paid for over that 40 years, prices won't surge. "It'll be a few dollars a year - but by the time it's spread across every connection in the country, it's spread over 40 years. It'll be a reasonably small amount." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Six shipbuilders have been shortlisted for the job of delivering the much-anticipated new Cook Strait ferries. This comes after the Government pulled the plug on iReX because of cost blowouts, which was set to deliver new port-side infrastructure and two rail-enabled hybrid ferries. Ferry Holdings chairman Chris Mackenzie won't disclose the names of these companies. "We're not making anything public...we will not announce who the six are, we will be announcing the successful shipyard further down the track." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transpower is looking to make a key investment into the Cook Strait electricity cable. It's consulting on a $1.4 billion upgrade to the 610 kilometre link connecting the North and South Island. The existing cables are likely to reach their end of life in the late 2030s. Major Electricity Users' Group Chairman John Harbord told Ryan Bridge the link's important when hydro-lakes in the South are low in water. He says the North Island's often moving forms of renewable electricity down to the South Island. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transpower says upgrading the Cook Strait electricity cable would come at a very small cost to consumers. It's consulting on a $1.4 billion proposal - to upgrade existing cables and allow for building a fourth. CEO James Kilty says the plan is to get another 40 years of stable electricity. He says because costs will be paid for over that 40 years, prices won't surge. "It'll be a few dollars a year - but by the time it's spread across every connection in the country, it's spread over 40 years. It'll be a reasonably small amount." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ivan Polyntcev started ultra-swimming - an elite open-water sport - less than six years ago, after moving to New Zealand. As a professional dancer, Ivan wanted a new sport to get into competitively. He started swimming in the ocean and soon he was hooked. Ivan attempted to cross the Cook Strait two years ago, but didn't even get in the water to start. He shares about the mental and physical journey to return and attempt the crossing a second time. His accomplishment makes him one of 200 people in the world that have swum the Cook Strait and it is globally infamous for its powerful tides, unpredictable currents, wildlife, and hazardous conditions. Ivan shares the lows and highs of the crossing, the logistical preparation and what might be next for him in ultra-swimming.Discover the best of New Zealand with my NZ Map & Guide, featuring 100+ incredible locations for your next adventure. Use PODCAST10 at checkout for 10% off and start planning your dream trip todayGet my NZ Map & GuideBook your 1-on-1 consult and personalised itinerary Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can't wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :)Follow Ivan on Instagram: instagram.com/ivan.swims/ Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nzFollow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/

If you think it's expensive to travel around the country now, it's about to get more expensive with KiwiRail ditching one of its ferries. But even though flying isn't cheap, KiwiRail can forget about me making any interisland ferry bookings. Because why would ya? Two dungers —either of which can be out of service on any given day— no thanks. This all goes back to the decision by the Government not long after it came to power to pull the plug on the mega ferry project that Labour seemed to have an open cheque book for. Originally, the cost of getting the new mega ferries and bringing the portside infrastructure up-to-scratch was going to be around $1.5 billion. But that blew out to $3 billion and Finance Minister Nicola Willis said “no” when KiwiRail came knocking asking for more money. She said at the time that Cabinet wasn't confident that there wouldn't be further cost blow-outs. A bit further down the track, she washed her hands of the whole thing and handed-it over to Winston Peters who became the Minister for Rail with his number one job being to find cheaper ferries and fast. And, as we now know, they're expected to be here in 2029. In fact, pretty much all we know. We don't know how much they're going to cost. We also don't know how much it has cost or is going to cost the Government to get out of the original ship building contract. But this isn't about the politics today. The conversation today is about KiwiRail running just two ferries on Cook Strait for the next four years, and what that's going to mean. What it's going to mean for passengers, and what it's going to mean for people shifting freight up and down the country. Let's start with passengers: there's no doubt it's going to get more expensive to cross the Strait. That's just how business works. The Aratere does two crossings a day and can carry up to 400 passengers. So there's 800 passengers a day that won't be crossing. To be fair to KiwiRail, they are saying that they think the most impact on passengers will happen during the peak season. But, either way, it's only going to lead to increased prices and decreased reliability. Then there's the freight issue. There's already no shortage of people saying how unreliable the Interislander has become for them getting their products to and from the North and South Islands. I see that road freight lobby group Transporting New Zealand is saying that the Aratere going out of service will create more risk for freight. Chief Executive Dom Kalasih is saying today that it will be "fascinating” to see what happens with freight with no rail-enabled ferries. But it's not the lack of rail that's going to be an issue, because guess how much freight in New Zealand is carried on trucks? Ninety percent. And a lot of them will be trucking operators that cross Cook Strait on the Interislander, competing for space paying higher prices. And businesses paying more will mean everybody paying more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pressure is expected to come on the resilience of a reduced Cook Strait ferry fleet after KiwiRail announced it will retire the Aratere this year. KiwiRail chief customer and growth officer Adele Wilson spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Interislander is reducing its Cook Strait ferry fleet from three to two. The Aratere will retire when demolition begins on its decaying dock - late this year or early the next - to add infrastructure for new ships. Two new ferries are due in 2029. KiwiRail's Adele Wilson says it would've cost about $120 million to have an interim dock. "The idea of the temporary wharf is one of those things that is not possible if we want to bring this project in on budget and on time and at a level that's affordable." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Interislander's Aratere is heading towards its final journey - as work is underway to get rid of the Cook Strait ferry's decaying dock. Infrastructure is needed for new ferries, arriving in 2029, and work to demolish Aratere berth will in the coming months. It'll spell an end to the ageing ferry's operation because it can't use other Interislander docks. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan unpacks this announcement. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Rail Minister says any supply chain interruptions caused by the Interislander reducing its Cook Strait ferry fleet can be handled. Aratere will be retired when demolition begins on its decaying Picton dock late this year or early next, to add infrastructure for new ships. It's KiwiRail's only rail-enabled ferry. Winston Peters told Ryan Bridge it won't have an impact on the amount of freight KiwiRail is moving. He says it will be supplemented by added shipping around the coast and a re-formulated programme. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ferry and cruise passengers could be facing a new levy. The Government is weighing up how to fund a permanent rescue tugboat for the Cook Strait, and a user pays system is on the table. They've contracted MMA Vision to provide emergency cover in the meantime, but a long-term solution is still up in the air. Maritime Union Spokesperson Victor Billot told Mike Hosking they're happy to see the temporary measures, but there does need to be a long-term plan. However, he says they're unsure a user pays model is the right fit, or that it would be easy to enforce. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than a year after work came to an abrupt halt when the government cancelled the previous mega ferries contract - Picton residents are pleased to hear there will be two new Cook Strait ferries, but they aren't convinced that they'll be any cheaper. It's also still not clear what exactly the infrastructure work in Picton will involve, or when it will get underway again. Samantha Gee visited the port side town.

Questions to Ministers Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? JOSEPH MOONEY to the Minister for Economic Growth: What recent announcements has she made regarding supermarket competition? Hon MARAMA DAVIDSON to the Prime Minister: E tautoko ana ia i nga korero me nga mahi katoa a tona Kawanatanga? Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by her statement, "The Government is focusing on the things that make a difference to the quality of people's lives"; if so, do the changes coming in today reflect that? ANDY FOSTER to the Minister for Rail: Is the Cook Strait ferry replacement programme "on track"? RAWIRI WAITITI to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? Hon WILLIE JACKSON to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Are her policies working; if not, why not? MIKE BUTTERICK to the Minister of Police: What recent reports has he seen on trust and confidence in the Police? Hon WILLOW-JEAN PRIME to the Minister of Education: Does she stand by all her statements and actions? CHLÖE SWARBRICK to the Prime Minister: E tautoko ana ia i nga korero me nga mahi katoa a tona Kawanatanga? Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? TANGI UTIKERE to the Minister for Rail: When will New Zealanders know the cost of their new Interislander ferries and how the requisite port-side infrastructure will be funded? NANCY LU to the Minister for Building and Construction: What is the Government doing to lower building costs and make it easier to build?

Thanks to Murilo, Alexandra, and Joel for their suggestions this week! The bird sounds in this episode come from xeno-canto, a great resource for lots of animal sounds! A cactus wren [picture by Mike & Chris - Cactus WrenUploaded by snowmanradio, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15876953]: The sultan tit [photo by By Dibyendu Ash - CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=72070998]: A female scarlet tanager [photo by Félix Uribe, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=81340425]. The male is red with black wings: The Northern cardinal: The yellow grosbeak [photo by Arjan Haverkamp - originally posted to Flickr as 2008-08-23-15h00m37.IMG_4747l, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9596644]: The purple martin isn't actually purple [photo by JJ Cadiz, Cajay - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4255626]: The dusky thrush [photo by Jerry Gunner from Lincoln, UK Uploaded by snowmanradio, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20762838]: The European rose chafer, not a bird [photo by I, Chrumps, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2521547]: Show transcript: Welcome to Strange Animals Podcast. I'm your host, Kate Shaw. This week we're going to learn about a lot of little birds that deserve more attention, because they're cute and interesting. Thanks to Murilo, Alexandra, and Joel for their little bird suggestions! All the birds we'll talk about today are called passerines, because they belong to the order Passeriformes. They're also sometimes referred to as perching birds or songbirds, even though not all passerines sing. Passerines are common throughout the world, with more than 6,500 species identified. I've seen about 150 of those species, so clearly I need to work harder as a birdwatcher. Passerines are referred to as perching birds because of their feet. A passerine bird has three toes that point forward and another toe pointing backwards, which allows it to wrap its toes securely around a twig or branch to sit. Its legs are also adapted so that the toes automatically curl up tight when the leg is bent. That's why a sleeping bird doesn't fall off its branch. Let's start with one of Murilo's suggestions, the wren. Wrens are birds in the family Troglodytidae, and are usually very small with a short tail, a pointy bill that turns slightly downward at the tip, and brown plumage. It mainly eats insects and larvae that it finds in nooks and crannies of trees, and many species will investigate dark places like hollow logs, the openings to caves, or your apartment if you leave the back door open on a warm day. Many sing beautiful songs and have very loud voices for such little bitty birds. Most wrens are native to the Americas, including the canyon wren that's native to western North America in desert areas. It's cinnamon-brown with a white throat and an especially long bill, which it uses to find insects in rock crevices. It lives in canyons and has a more flattened skull than other wrens, which means it can get its head into crevices without hurting itself. No one has ever seen a canyon wren drink water, and scientists think it probably gets all the water it needs from the insects it eats. Where do the insects get the water they need? That's an episode for another day. This is what a canyon wren sounds like: [bird sound] Not every bird that's called a wren is actually in the family Troglodytidae. Some just resemble wrens, like an unusual bird that Murilo brought to my attention. It's called Lyall's wren but it's actually in the family Acanthisittidae, and it was once widespread throughout New Zealand. By the time it was scientifically identified and described in 1894, it was restricted to a single island in Cook Strait. Lyall's wren was flightless,

The Labour Party is using all the nautical puns you can imagine to criticise the government's interisland ferry plans, saying it has sunk hundreds of millions of dollars at the bottom of the Cook Strait. Labour transport spokesperson Tangi Utikere spoke to Corin Dann.

The coalition is showing unity on the Cook Strait ferry deal. Rail Minister Winston Peters has announced two road and rail-enabled ferry and port infrastructure to be delivered by 2029. Finance Minister Nicola Willis had a plan, but it wasn't confirmed whether those were rail-enabled or not. Peters told Mike Hosking the fact that a new plan is on the table, isn't being critical of her. He said that when they brought a new option to the table, Willis had enough wisdom to say they should see if it's possible. Peters is standing firm in his criticism of Green MP Benjamin Doyle's historical Instagram posts. The Greens says they're screening an immense volume of abuse, including death threats towards Doyle, over Doyle's old social media posts with sexually suggestive captions. The party is accusing Peters of "fanning the flames of hatred". Peters told Mike Hosking that's not true. He says thousands and thousands of people from the rainbow community are supporting what he's saying. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Minister-in-charge has promised Interislander's ferries are safe until our new ones arrive. The Government's announced specifications for two ships - rail enabled and larger than the current pair - for roll out by Christmas 2029. Picton's port infrastructure will be replaced, but money will be saved by modifications and refurbishment in Wellington. Previous plans were canned in 2023, after cost blowouts. Minister for Rail Winston Peters says KiwiRail's given him an overview of the existing ships. "They are very confident that these present utilities are going to be capable of going well past 2029." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Minister for Rail, Winston Peters, is expected to make an announcement on Monday about the replacements for KiwiRail's aging fleet of Cook Strait ferries. Marlborough Chamber of Commerce executive officer Kylie Cornelius spoke to Corin Dann.

Questions to Ministers TODD STEPHENSON to the Associate Minister of Justice: Why is this Government adjusting the funding criteria for the Proceeds of Crime Fund? TANYA UNKOVICH to the Minister for Rail: Is the Cook Strait ferry replacement programme on track? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? RICARDO MENÉNDEZ MARCH to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Will the average jobseeker beneficiary subjected to compulsory money management be able to afford their rent and bills? Dr VANESSA WEENINK to the Acting Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (Grocery Sector): What recent reports has she seen on grocery competition? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by her statement yesterday that "The Treasury got its forecasts before the election plain wrong"; if so, why should the public believe future Treasury forecasts? RIMA NAKHLE to the Minister of Justice: What actions has the Government taken to restore real consequences for crime? Hon WILLOW-JEAN PRIME to the Minister for Children: Does she stand by her statement regarding the release of the rates of reoffending by participants of the military-style academy pilot that "Oranga Tamariki is of the understanding that they follow my instructions that these young people's privacy is the most important thing, and making sure that we're taking care of the wellbeing and the safety of these young people comes first and foremost before anything else"; if so, did she direct Oranga Tamariki to withhold the rates of reoffending by participants of the military-style academy pilot? GREG FLEMING to the Minister for the Public Service: What recent reports has she seen from the Public Service Commission? TANGI UTIKERE to the Minister of Local Government: Does he agree with Standard & Poor's that their ratings downgrade of 18 councils and three council-controlled organisations "reflects factors including the quick passage and repeal of several key laws governing local councils, the cancellation of various Crown grant programs, an increase in unfunded mandates, and recent announcements about infrastructure financing options"; if not, why not? LAN PHAM to the Minister of Conservation: Does he agree with the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries' statement that "Locals have raised serious concerns about the decline of spiny rock lobster in the inner Hauraki Gulf, and this has been backed up by fishery-independent research. I share these concerns and ... I've decided to stop spiny rock lobster fishing in the inner Gulf"; if so, is he also committed to protections in the Hauraki Gulf? TIM COSTLEY to the Minister of Police: Does he agree with the statement by the member for Wellington Central that people "do not want to see police officers everywhere, and, for a lot of people, it makes them feel less safe"; if not, why not? Question to Member Hon Dr DUNCAN WEBB to the Chairperson of the Justice Committee: Will he report the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill to the House before all submissions have been processed and considered by members?

On Friday teenage marathon swimmer Maya Merhige swam across Cook Strait.  She made the 22km journey in 14 and a half hours. And as if that doesn't sound tough enough for you, she did it overnight. It's all part of her quest to complete the world's seven toughest ocean swims and raise money for Cancer Research.

Questions to Ministers TAKUTAI TARSH KEMP to the Minister for Economic Growth: Will she ensure that her proposal to scrap the living wage requirement in Government contracts for cleaning, catering, and security guard services will not result in pay cuts for these workers? PAULO GARCIA to the Minister of Revenue: What recent announcements has he made on the foreign investment fund rules? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? TEANAU TUIONO to the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries: What steps, if any, has he taken to guard against regulatory capture of the Ministry for Primary Industries by New Zealand's commercial fishing sector? Hon GINNY ANDERSEN to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: Does she agree with Brooke van Velden's statement, "I think a lot of people in New Zealand do live on minimum wage and we have to allow people to make ends meet"; if so, how many Government contractors are currently paid the minimum wage? KATIE NIMON to the Associate Minister of Health: What recent announcements has he made on refreshing New Zealand's eating disorders strategy? STEVE ABEL to the Minister of Agriculture: Does he agree that trade access to overseas markets is a key component of protecting the export performance of New Zealand's agricultural sector? DAVID MacLEOD to the Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing: What is the Government doing to support small businesses and manufacturers? TANGI UTIKERE to the Minister for Rail: Has the Government received any alternative proposals for the procurement of new Cook Strait ferries from the private sector; if so, how many? JENNY MARCROFT to the Associate Minister of Health: What recent announcements has she made regarding upgrades to New Zealand's air ambulance fleet? MILES ANDERSON to the Minister for Hunting and Fishing: What work has the Government done to support the hunting and fishing community? ARENA WILLIAMS to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: How will the Government back up its promise to ensure fair prices for Kiwi consumers?

Questions to Ministers JAMIE ARBUCKLE to the Minister for Rail: Does he stand by his statements and actions regarding Cook Strait ferries? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? LAURA McCLURE to the Associate Minister of Agriculture: What recent announcements has he made about positive health outcomes for pets? Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS to the Minister for Energy: Is he concerned that two international offshore wind investors have now withdrawn or paused their New Zealand projects, citing current Government policy as the reason; if not, why not? Dr VANESSA WEENINK to the Minister of Health: What recent announcements has he made on increasing penalties for illicit drug use? Hon WILLOW-JEAN PRIME to the Minister of Education: Does she stand by all her statements and actions? CARL BATES to the Minister of Immigration: What recent changes have been made to the Accredited Employer Work Visa to support businesses to access the skills and experience they need? Hon GINNY ANDERSEN to the Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology: Does he agree with the Science System Advisory Group's finding, "Note the critical importance of the science and innovation workforce, and that actions will be needed at multiple levels to develop and retain a high calibre workforce of researchers, scientists, innovators and entrepreneurs"; if so, why? Hon MARAMA DAVIDSON to the Prime Minister: E tautoko ana ia i nga korero me nga mahi katoa a tona Kawanatanga? Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? TIM VAN DE MOLEN to the Minister of State for Trade and Investment: What actions has the Government taken to support trade with South-east Asia? Hon PEENI HENARE to the Minister of Health: Is he committed to the same health outcomes for Maori as his immediate predecessor? DEBBIE NGAREWA-PACKER to the Minister for Whanau Ora: How many audits and reviews has Whanau Ora failed since its establishment in 2010, if any?

Questions to Ministers HUHANA LYNDON to the Minister for Maori Development: Does he stand by his appointment of Richard Prebble to the Waitangi Tribunal in light of Prebble's comments on his resignation; if so, why? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? NANCY LU to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has she seen on the Government's fiscal position? TAKUTA FERRIS to the Minister for Maori Development: Does he believe the Waitangi Tribunal plays a critical role in holding the Government accountable for its actions or omissions that breach Te Tiriti o Waitangi? JENNY MARCROFT to the Minister for Rail: What recent announcements has he made on the Cook Strait ferries programme? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by her statement that "Recent data releases are consistent with a growing New Zealand economy"; if so, what impact does inflation in international economies have on New Zealand's growth? JOSEPH MOONEY to the Minister for Tourism and Hospitality: What recent announcements has she made about boosting tourism in New Zealand? TANGI UTIKERE to the Minister for Rail: Does he stand by his statement regarding the new Cook Strait ferries that by the end of March 2025, "We're going to be able to announce who's in the game, what they're aiming for, and what the cost will be"; if so, is he on track to do so? Dr HAMISH CAMPBELL to the Minister for Mental Health: What announcements has he made this week regarding the Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund? TAMATHA PAUL to the Minister of Housing: Does he believe that State housing is important for growing the supply of affordable housing; if so, why is the Government opting for zero growth in State housing beyond next year? Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR to the Minister for Trade and Investment: What impacts does he think the imposition of tariffs by the Trump presidency will have on New Zealand exporters and importers? CATHERINE WEDD to the Minister for Women: What is the Government doing to support women?

As Hyundai is back on the table for a potential Cook Strait ferry deal, Winston Peters is reiterating his view that the previous deal wasn't a good one. The Government set aside $300 million to resolve all exit costs for the deal. Peters says the idea that breaking the previous deal with Hyundai alone will cost $300 million is 'just wrong'. "We cannot afford this blowout in costs for both the ferries and the infrastructure that went with the ferries that were ordered. It costs us way less than $300 million." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's hopes new Cook Strait ferries will be rail-enabled. Minister for Rail Winston Peters is promising more details by the month's end. He's confirmed Hyundai - the company whose ship and infrastructure deal was dumped by the Government - is in the running for a new contract. The break fee on the original canned deal is $300 million. Maritime Union national secretary Carl Findlay says the cancellation was silly. He explained getting world-class builders to make the ships as close to the original plan would be ideal. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Towards the end of the March 3, 1975 issue of Sports Illustrated a reader wrote in on the exploits of a little known swimmer who had appeared in two issues of SI the previous month. The woman wrote, "Thank you for a beautifully written piece on an incredible woman. Lynne Cox. How refreshing it is to read a story written by a man (Sam Moses) about a woman that does not go on about the color of her hair or how she looked in her bathing suit." What was noticeable is that Miss Cox was wearing a bathing suit, but not a wetsuit... despite the obvious need for one as she was a long distance swimmer who sometimes swam in temps that were below freezing. When Lynne was 14, she and three other teammates swam the 31 miles it takes to cross the Catalina Island Channel... and that the beginning of a life like no other. She would go on to swim the English Channel, as well as a mile in 26 degree water in Antartica. Yes, you read that correctly... she swam for a mile in just bathing suit in below freezing temps. But her most famous swim was in 1987 when she crossed the Bering Strait... it took her over 2 hours to go from Little Diomede in Alaska to Big Diomede in the USSR in waters that were 38 degrees. She was trying to raise attention to how close the two Superpowers were in proximity and to help bring an end to the Cold War. President's Reagan and Gorbachev both toasted her on her amazing accomplishment. Cox is now 68 years old, and tells us how Russian doctors were prepared to help her immediately once she came ashore in the Soviet Union and how cardiac arrest was a real possibility. How the people of the islands were actually families who hadn't been able to communicate with each other in almost 50 years and began to rejoice and sing once she brought them together! She recalls a swim where she thought a shark might be in the water, but instead it was a pod of dolphins guiding her across the Cook Strait in New Zealand. She tells amazing stories because she has amazing stories to tell... and she does it on this weeks Past Our Prime podcast. You won't believe it unless you hear it. Subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is what Wikipedia says about Andy Donaldson: Andrew Donaldson (born 10 February 1991 in Irvine, Scotland) is a Scottish-Australian marathon swimmer, motivational speaker, and mental health advocate. Donaldson is a three-time world record holder,[1] most notably for the fastest time to complete the Oceans Seven marathon swim challenge.[1] On 19 September 2024, he broke the world record for the Manhattan Island Swim, completing the 45.9 km course in 5 hours, 41 minutes and 48 seconds.[2]  He also holds the fastest swim across the Cook Strait - the waters between New Zealand's North and South Islands.[3][4][5] Andrew was voted Man of the Year and Performance of the Year in the World Open Water Swimming Association awards for 2023.[6] In this podcast we go deep inside the mind, the motivation, the passion and the drive of Andy Donaldson. Be inspired. Learn.  Get Moving. Summary The Ocean Seven challenge @ 4:19 Inspired by his Rottnest Channel success, Andrew set an ambitious goal to complete the Ocean Seven, a challenge to swim the world's 7 toughest open water channels, all within a single year. This required extensive planning, a dedicated support team, and significant fundraising, as each swim cost around $10,000. Despite facing many logistical and physical challenges, Andrew was able to complete all 7 swims in the target timeframe, setting a new world record. Lessons learned from the Ocean Seven @ 24:08 Each of the Ocean Seven swims taught Andrew valuable lessons that applied to life beyond swimming. Key lessons included the importance of a strong support team, being adaptable in the face of adversity, not getting caught up in external noise or doubts, and focusing on what he could control rather than worrying about uncontrollable factors. Contact Andy at - Facebook https://www.facebook.com/andy.donaldson.50 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/andy.swimming/?hl=en   ABOUT OUR CHANNEL  When you want simple, easy but powerful micro steps - small steps you do each day to transform your Life, Career Advancement or your Business Growth and results.. We have 40 years of experience working with over 400 different companies from 47 different industries.  Our Award winning coaching, learning and empowerment programmes are not just about online learning - we help you implement and embed smarter systems and solutions into your life, career and business. Most projects start with a speaking engagement at your Leadership or Sales Retreat or conference. Find out more at www.leighfarnell.com or book a 15-minute free exploratory coaching meeting https://calendly.com/lfbb/exploratory-meeting-15mins ✅✅✅ Please like, subscribe, and share! ✅✅✅

MetService meterologist Mathapelo Makabulane spoke to Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira about what the week will bring across the Cook Strait and the country.

Questions to Ministers LAURA McCLURE to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: What recent announcements has she made in her workplace relations and safety portfolio? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? RYAN HAMILTON to the Minister of Finance: What recent announcements has she made on Government finances? RAWIRI WAITITI to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by all her statements and actions? KATIE NIMON to the Minister responsible for RMA Reform: What progress has been made in meeting the commitment in the Government's Quarter Four Action Plan to "Passing the Fast-track Approvals Bill to speed up delivery of regional and national projects of significance"? CHLÖE SWARBRICK to the Prime Minister: E tautoko ana ia i nga korero me nga mahi katoa a tona Kawanatanga? Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? TIM COSTLEY to the Minister of Health: What recent statements has the Government made on keeping emergency departments safe this summer? Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by his refusal to be interviewed on cuts to information technology in hospitals on the ground that it is an operational matter; if so, can he guarantee that hospital care and data will be safe? TOM RUTHERFORD to the Minister of Local Government: What recent announcements has he made about getting councils back to basics? LAN PHAM to the Prime Minister: E tautoko ana ia i nga korero me nga mahi katoa a tona Kawanatanga? Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? TANGI UTIKERE to the Minister for Rail: Does he stand by his statement regarding any new Cook Strait ferries that "Rail-enabled ferries is part of our considerations, yes, and that is a no-brainer"; if so, will he guarantee that the new ferries will be rail-enabled?

Georgina speaks to Kathryn about the latest events in Te Whanganui-a-Tara including the government's announcement for the future of Cook Strait ferries.

Questions to Ministers Hon CARMEL SEPULONI to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all the Government's statements and actions? CATHERINE WEDD to the Minister of Finance: When will the next Budget Policy Statement be released? TANGI UTIKERE to the Minister for Rail: Does he stand by his statement regarding the new Cook Strait ferries that "It will be, and can be, rail-enabled"; if so, is he confident that he can deliver them for less than the $551 million that was under contract with Hyundai Mipo Dockyard? DAVID MacLEOD to the Minister of Justice: What actions is the Government taking to make stalking an illegal and jailable offence? HUHANA LYNDON to the Minister for Maori Development: What measures, if any, has the Government taken to ensure the financial sustainability of Whakaata Maori, and have these measures been adequate? HANA-RAWHITI MAIPI-CLARKE to the Minister of Police: Does he accept the findings of the New Zealand Police in their Understanding Policing Delivery report that Maori men are stopped, tasered, and prosecuted by the Police at disproportionately higher rates than any other group as a result of structural racism? Dr HAMISH CAMPBELL to the Minister of Agriculture: What reports has he seen on export revenue forecasts for the primary sector? Hon WILLOW-JEAN PRIME to the Minister for Children: To what extent does she accept responsibility for the outcomes of Oranga Tamariki's actions in relation to community provider funding cuts and military-style academies? TANYA UNKOVICH to the Prime Minister: What update can he provide on the coalition Government's progress? CAMILLA BELICH to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: Does she stand by her statement that the Government is "delivering for all workers"; if so, how is reintroducing pay deductions for partial strikes delivering for workers? RIMA NAKHLE to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: What steps has the Government recently taken to enhance competition and boost economic productivity? TAMATHA PAUL to the Minister for Children: What changes, if any, will she consider making to ensure that tamariki and rangatahi in Aotearoa are safe?

The public now has to wait until next year to find out how much the coalition is prepared to spend on replacing the critical but aging Cook Strait ferries. Political reporter Russell Palmer reports.

The government is promising to have two new ferries crossing Cook Strait by 2029, though critical questions about the cost and logistics remain unanswered. Greater Wellington Council chairperson Daran Ponter spoke to Corin Dann.

The ferry workers' union says the Government's Cook Strait ferry announcement desperately lacks substance. Maritime Union president Carl Findlay spoke to Corin Dann.

Questions to Ministers NANCY LU to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has she seen on the economy? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? CHLÖE SWARBRICK to the Prime Minister: E tautoko ana ia i nga korero me nga mahi katoa a tona Kawanatanga? Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister for Rail: Does he agree with the statement of the Minister of Finance that "the Government's alternative ferry solution for the Cook Strait will cost less than the iRex project"; if so, how much will the total Crown contribution be, compared to the $2.2 billion Crown contribution that was planned for project iRex? TIM VAN DE MOLEN to the Minister responsible for RMA Reform: Why is the Government progressing the Fast-track Approvals Bill? CHLÖE SWARBRICK to the Prime Minister: E tautoko ana ia i nga korero me nga mahi katoa a tona Kawanatanga? Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS to the Minister of Climate Change: What proportion of total emissions cuts projected between the period 2026-2035 are attributed to unproven or disproven technologies? DEBBIE NGAREWA-PACKER to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? TODD STEPHENSON to the Associate Minister of Justice: How is the Government proposing to strengthen the Sentencing (Reinstating Three Strikes) Amendment Bill? SUZE REDMAYNE to the Minister of Agriculture: What actions has the Government taken to protect highly productive food-producing land in New Zealand? Hon PEENI HENARE to the Minister for Maori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti: Does he stand by his statements regarding the Maori-Crown relationship? Hon SCOTT SIMPSON to the Minister of Conservation: What recent announcements has he made about Mautohe Cathedral Cove?

The government is expected to announce its plan for replacement Cook Strait ferries on Wednesday, after the previous iRex project was ditched because of cost blow outs. Infrastructure New Zealand chief executive Nick Leggett.

The government is expected to reveal its new Cook Strait ferry plan this week, after cancelling Labour's mega, rail-enabled one. Political editor Jo Moir spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

It hasn't been clear sailing for the Interislander, but any day the government will announce plans for the ferries' future…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

TAMPA, Fla. (CBS12) — A 45-year-old "Thug Riders" motorcycle club member has been accused of drug and weapon-related charges after a traffic stop near Nebraska Avenue in Tampa. And a Mongols member riding off a Cook Strait ferry at Picton ahead of the gang's anniversary meeting in Christchurch had his bike impounded amid a heavy police response to the outlaw club's festivities this past weekend. Join us as we discuss.Please consider sponsoring the channel by signing up for our channel memberships. You can also support us by signing up for our podcast channel membership for $9.99 per month, where 100% of the membership price goes directly to us at https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-dragon-s-lair-motorcycle-chaos--3267493/support. Follow us on:Instagram: www.instagram.com/BlackDragonBikerTV on Instagram. Thank you!TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@blackdragonbikertv Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/jbunchiiFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackdragonbikerBuy Black Dragon Merchandise, Mugs, Hats, T-Shirts Books: https://blackdragonsgear.comDonate to our cause:Cashapp: $BikerPrezPayPal: https://tinyurl.com/yxudso8zZelle: jbunchii@aol.com Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BlackDragonNPSubscribe to our new discord server https://discord.gg/dshaTSTSubscribe to our online news magazine www.bikerliberty.comSubscribe to Black Dragon Biker TV YouTube https://tinyurl.com/y2xv69buSubscribe to our Prepper Channel “Think Tactical”: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-WnkPNJLZ2a1vfis013OAgGet 20% off Gothic biker rings by using my special discount code: blackdragon go to http://gthic.com?aff=147Join my News Letter to get the latest in MC protocol, biker club content, and my best picks for every day carry. https://johns-newsletter-43af29.beehiiv.com/subscribe Get my new Audio Book Prospect's Bible from these links: United States https://adbl.co/3OBsfl5United Kingdom https://adbl.co/3J6tQxTFrance https://bit.ly/3OFWTtfGermany https://adbl.co/3b81syQ Help us get to 30,000 subscribers on www.instagram.com/BlackDragonBikerTV on Instagram. Thank you!