**New Zealand ferry Aratere sailings cancelled due to electrical issue**

**Wellington, 22 April 2025 – The Interislander Aratere ferry service has been cancelled for its scheduled evening crossing from Wellington to Picton and back. This decision was made after an electrical fault was identified during routine maintenance checks earlier in the day.**

This ferry is operated by KiwiRail, New Zealand's official railway operator, as part of its multi-ferry service network. The cancellation affected all originally scheduled afternoon 4 p.m. and Tuesday evening 8:30 p.m. return journeys. Passengers were informed that they could use their allocated tickets to rebook onto alternative sailings.

KiwiRail has assured passengers that they will be able to rebook onto the next available ferry service without any inconvenience. The company is also working closely with local authorities and other ferry operators to ensure a smooth transition for all affected customers during this period.

This incident highlights the importance of regular maintenance checks on ferry systems, particularly as Picton lies close to the upcoming South Island Ring Road project, which could impact ferry operations in the future. For more information, please refer to NZ Herald or RNZ News.