TRANSPORT

Waitohi: Picton Ferry Precinct Redevelopment

KiwiRail / Port Marlborough · Marlborough

Redevelopment of the Picton ferry precinct (Waitohi) for the new rail-enabled Cook Strait ferries: a new terminal building, wharf and linkspan, a Dublin Street overbridge, and improved links between the precinct and town. Physical works, including demolition of the old vehicle access bridge, began in early 2026. The South Island portside half of the ~$1.86b Interislander ferry programme.

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.

Breakdown▾

Data current as at 13 Jun 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.

Chronology

2022Waitohi ferry precinct redevelopment confirmed (~$360m terminal)
2024Replanned alongside the new Cook Strait ferry procurement
2026Physical works begin: old vehicle access bridge demolished
2029Terminal ready for the new rail-enabled ferries

Source

EPA ↗

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