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TRANSPORT
Waitohi: Picton Ferry Precinct Redevelopment
KiwiRail / Port Marlborough · Marlborough
Redevelopment of the Picton ferry precinct for the new rail-enabled Cook Strait ferries: a terminal building, wharf and linkspan, a Dublin Street overbridge, and better links to the town. Physical works began in early 2026. This is the South Island portside half of the $1.86b Interislander programme.
85
Breakdown▾
Strongest delivery signals Data: High
Delivery Confidence Score, 0 to 100, higher is better: a ranking of how strong this project's delivery signals are, not a probability. It blends eight factors, including the election risk and policy alignment shown below.
Each axis is a scoring factor (0 to 100)
Data current as at 16 Sept 2026, when the pipeline was last checked against its source.
Key facts
- Region
- Marlborough
- Sector
- Transport
- Status
- Under Construction
- Estimated value
- $400m
- Indicative completion
- 2029
- Funding status
- Fully Funded
- Lead organisation
- KiwiRail / Port Marlborough
- Election risk
- Low
Election risk assessment
The South Island side of the Cook Strait ferry replacement. Port infrastructure agreements are signed within the fixed $1.86B programme; committed and under construction.
Government priority alignment
HIGH: Critical inter-island freight and passenger link, core land-transport resilience.
Recent changes
- 2026-W37Major Estimated value down 86%: $2.8b → $400m.
- 2026-W37Notable Status: Planning → Under Construction.
- 2026-W37Notable Completion brought forward: 2035 → 2029.
- 2026-W37Info Owner: KiwiRail → KiwiRail / Port Marlborough.
Chronology
- 2022Waitohi ferry precinct redevelopment confirmed (~$360m terminal)
- 2024Replanned alongside the new Cook Strait ferry procurement
- 2026Physical works begin: old vehicle access bridge demolished
- 2029expectedTerminal ready for the new rail-enabled ferries