Discover the Kaiarahi: Ratings & Maritime News

The search operation for a passenger who tragically went overboard from the 'Kaiārahi' ferry in the Cook Strait has been suspended. The incident occurred late at night on March 30, 2026, around 11 p.m. The New Zealand Police were notified of the situation at approximately 2:20 a.m. on March 31 after a vehicle was discovered unattended during the disembarkation of the fully booked ferry. Initial efforts to locate the missing man commenced, but it wasn’t until CCTV footage was examined that it became evident he had fallen from the vessel hours earlier. By 4 a.m., the Police Maritime Unit and the New Zealand Rescue Coordination Centre had organized a full-scale search operation. Various police and Coastguard resources were deployed, including a helicopter conducting aerial searches a few kilometers off the Red Rocks. Coastguard Wellington volunteered their services, sending ten team members out on the rescue vessels 'Reremoana' and 'Spirit of Wellington' to assist in the search efforts. Unfortunately, as the day progressed, adverse weather conditions hindered the operation, leading to the decision to suspend the search on April 1, with no sighting of the missing individual. However, ships navigating in the surrounding waters have been urged to remain vigilant and report any sightings to aid in the ongoing search and rescue efforts.

KiwiRail is optimistic about returning the 'Kaiārahi' ferry to operation following repairs scheduled for the weekend of March 14-15. The vessel has been out of commission since experiencing a recurring technical issue on the night of March 10 while docked in Picton. Engineers have successfully pinpointed the problem, and a critical replacement part, ordered from overseas, is expected to arrive by the afternoon of March 13. To expedite the repair process, an Interislander representative has traveled overseas to personally collect the necessary parts. Trials for the 'Kaiārahi' are planned for March 14-15. In the meantime, KiwiRail is increasing capacity by adding eight extra sailings for the 'Kaitaki' on March 15 and 16, coinciding with the vessel's scheduled layby. Passengers whose travel on the 'Kaiārahi' was cancelled have mostly been accommodated on 'Kaitaki' journeys on the same day. Approximately 1,300 private vehicles are affected by the interruption, with customers receiving full refunds, the chance to rebook at no additional charge, and compensation for any reasonable expenses arising from the service disruption. Interislander is also prioritizing urgent freight deliveries that cannot traverse the Cook Strait through alternative means.

KiwiRail's Interislander fleet is facing significant disruptions following a mechanical issue with the 'Kaiārahi', reducing operational capacity to just one ferry. The troubles began on March 7, 2026, when the technical fault was identified while the vessel was attempting to dock in Wellington. Although the 'Kaiārahi' managed to berth safely, a series of sailings were canceled as engineers conducted investigations and repairs during a scheduled maintenance layover. By March 10, the ferry was back in service, but the problem re-emerged later that evening after another successful docking. This recurrence allowed the engineering team to pinpoint the underlying issue, prompting them to seek a replacement part from overseas. In an effort to mitigate supply chain disruptions across the Cook Strait, KiwiRail has scheduled additional sailings of the 'Kaitaki' on March 8 and March 9, dates originally planned for maintenance. Interislander is optimistic about returning the 'Kaiārahi' to operation early next week, pending successful tests and necessary regulatory clearance.

On December 12, 2025, passengers aboard the 'Kaiārahi' ferry experienced an unexpected delay of over six hours due to steering issues during its transit across the Cook Strait to Picton. The vessel embarked from Wellington at approximately 3:30 p.m. LT. As it neared the Tory Channel, the crew conducted routine checks and discovered irregularities with the steering mechanism. Instead of proceeding through the channel, the ferry ventured into the Cook Strait to diagnose the problem. After assessments indicated a technical glitch, it was determined that the best course of action was to return to Wellington. Despite the steering difficulties, the crew maintained full control over the vessel. The 'Kaiārahi' slowly made its way back to Wellington Harbour, arriving at around 8 p.m. and successfully berthing by 10:05 p.m. Passengers were finally able to disembark at 10:40 p.m. Following the incident, technical experts in Wellington began a thorough investigation into the steering issues. The ferry operator swiftly notified relevant authorities and is actively working with both passengers and freight customers to make necessary rescheduling arrangements.

On December 23, 2024, the ferry 'Kaiarahi' experienced a mechanical hiccup shortly after departing Wellington en route to Picton at approximately 1 p.m. NZ time. Crew members identified a temperature-related issue linked to a lubrication pump, prompting an urgent response. The vessel was temporarily towed back to Wellington for safety measures. Following a prompt resolution of the problem, the 'Kaiarahi' was able to restart its journey. Although the ferry was delayed by about an hour, it eventually continued toward Picton, ensuring that passengers reached their destination with minimal disruption.

On March 13, 2024, Interislander's operations took a hit as all passenger sailings on the 'Kaiarahi' between Picton and Wellington were suspended until at least the afternoon of March 17. While the Cook Strait ferry continues to transport freight, passenger services have been halted due to a technical fault discovered during a scheduled maintenance check. The issue lies within the lifeboat reengagement system, which is responsible for safely reattaching lifeboats after use. Although the ship's overall safety remains intact, further investigations indicated that a faulty component requires replacement. Affected customers have been promptly notified and offered the choice to reschedule their journey or obtain a full refund. Interislander is committed to resolving this issue swiftly and ensuring the safety and comfort of all passengers.

On February 20, 2023, the ferry 'Kaiarahi' was compelled to turn back shortly after departing Wellington Harbour, heading towards Cook Strait, due to a medical emergency that occurred on board. The vessel's quick response ensured safety was prioritized, as a Wellington Free Ambulance team was ready to assist upon its return. The ambulance crew swiftly transported the patient to Wellington Hospital, where they were reported to be in moderate condition. This unexpected incident led to delays in 'Kaiarahi' sailings for the remainder of the day, impacting passengers and operations alike.