REVEALED: $290k Interisland Probe Reinforces Case to Sell the Ships 

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal, through an Official Information Act request, that the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has already spent $293,024 (exc. GST) investigating the grounding of the Aratere ferry.

The interim report alone cost $34,958 to prepare, including payments to external engineers, psychologists, and advisors. TAIC staff logged 534 hours just to the end of October 2024 with the final report not expected until 2026.

Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator, Rhys Hurley, said:

“This is turning into a fiscal shipwreck, with nearly $300,000 already gone and a rudderless aim to keep investigation costs below $450,000 before we even get a final report.”

“Rust-bucket Cook Strait ferries drifting into rocks doesn’t seem to happen in the private sector, and even if it does we’re not stuck with the tab. What will it take for the Government to admit bureaucrats shouldn’t be in charge of these boats.”

“With more and more money overboard keeping Interislander afloat, how long are kiwis expected to keep footing the bill? Minister Peters tinkering with part-privatisation isn’t enough - it’s time to sell the lot before the next disaster lands in taxpayers’ laps.”