New ferry project - timing announced for Aratere’s Picton wharf construction
Work on the Aratere’s decaying Picton wharf will start between October 2025 and March 2026 to allow for the new ferries project to get underway. This means Interislander needs to progress operational planning to prepare for the retire of the Aratere later
While it will be sad to bid farewell to one of the work horses of the Strait later this year, this is a significant milestone as it marks the start of the port infrastructure work needed for our two new, larger rail-enabled ferries arriving in 2029.
What you need to know
Existing Passenger bookings
For people with existing passenger and vehicle bookings on Aratere in and after September 2025, our team will be in touch to offer alternative sailings on Kaitaki and Kaiārahi. If the sailing time or service does not suit you refunds will be available.
For people with existing passenger and vehicle bookings on Kaitaki and Kaiārahi in and after September 2025, there may be timetable changes for your bookings. Our team will notify you of any change to your booking times as these become available.
New Passenger bookings
Bookings for the period after September 9 2025 are temporarily paused as we update our system to get ready for the transition to the new Kaitaki and Kaiārahi timetable from as early as October 2025.
Bookings for travel after September 9 2025 will reopen on 19 May 2025.
Thank you for your patience as we get this important work done.
Freight Customers
KiwiRail will be contacting freight Customers about proposed changes to ship and rail operations during the transition period to new ships. Market information calls are being held during May. Please contact your freight representative with any questions.
About Aratere
Aratere has been a cornerstone of our fleet since 1999, making around 24 crossings of Cook Strait every week, carrying up to 600 passengers, 30 trucks or 230 cars and 28 rail wagons
When it began service with Interislander the vessel was originally 150 metres in length, but in 2011 it was extended by just over 30 metres to increase its capacity.