Upgrade to the wharf and terminal areas started
Construction work is underway at Waitohi Picton and Wellington's Kaiwharawhara ports to upgrade the wharf and terminal areas ahead of our new, larger Interislander ferries.
At Kaiwharawhara, Wellington, the passenger drop-off and pick-up parking area has moved about 100 metres beyond the terminal building. If you are driving to the terminal, please allow an extra 15 minutes. See the map below.
We offer Wellington foot passengers a free shuttle that runs between Wellington Station and the ferry terminal. You might find this an easy and convenient way to catch your ferry. You can find more information about our shuttle service here.
We’re excited for the arrival of the two new ferries and appreciate your patience while this essential work is carried out. Interislander ferry services continue to operate as scheduled throughout.
Interislander Wellington terminal map for foot passengers.
Information about the ferry replacement programme is available at ferryholdings.co.nz/ports-infrastructure-work-programme
Background
The Government is replacing Interislander’s Kaitaki and Kaiarahi ferries with two new, larger rail-enabled ferries in 2029.
The project includes necessary port upgrades in Picton and Wellington, with a focus on maximising the re-use of the existing port, rail and road infrastructure.
The organisations working together on the ferry programme are:
- Ferry Holdings Ltd – a Crown entity responsible for procuring the new ferries, funding infrastructure, reaching commercial agreements with parties and general oversight across the project.
- Port Marlborough NZ – the port company responsible for major infrastructure work in Picton.
- CentrePort – the port company responsible for major infrastructure work in Kaiwharawhara, Wellington.
- NZTA – State Highway improvements in Picton to support the new ferries.
- KiwiRail – constructing the new Dublin Street road bridge over the rail line in Picton and some rail and vehicle yard changes at the two terminals to align them with the new infrastructure.
KiwiRail is also contributing its rail expertise and decades of customer experience running Interislander to support the design of the new ferries and required port-side infrastructure work.
We are focused on running reliable and safe Interislander ferry services for New Zealanders over the transition period. Our enhanced maintenance regime and road-bridging of rail freight are well established.