Maritime NZ files charges against KiwiRail over Interislander Aratere ferry grounding
On June 21, 2024, the ship grounded just north of Picton with 47 people on board at the time.
A preliminary Transport Investigation Commission report found the
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RNZ News
26-06-2025
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KiwiRail staff 'overworked' when machine derailed in Auckland, TAIC says
File pic Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone KiwiRail staff were "overworked and under supported" when a railway maintenance machine derailed at an Auckland tunnel, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) says. Three linked tamper machines came off the rails in Purewa Tunnel shortly after midnight on 9 November, 2023 after a section of track had been removed. A tamper is a railway maintenance machine that lifts and aligns track while compacting the ballast beneath the sleepers, to create a smoother path for trains. None of the crew or any track workers were injured, but the machine was badly damaged. The TAIC report, released on Friday, explained how train controllers and track officers were kept in the dark about a gap in the railway. The train controller, the worksite's rail protection officer for the worksite and four train crew members were all unaware of the report said the driver of the lead machine saw the missing rails but could not stop in time. "[The tamper] was unable to stop before driving off the end of the track and into ballast, where it travelled for 16.4 metres before stopping. The rear two machines were able to stop and remain on the track." Staff aware of the missing track did not properly communicate it to key personnel. "Safety-critical information about the removal of the track within the project area was not provided to the track protection team because the key staff who were responsible were absent," the report said. "Key staff were unsupported while working in safety-critical roles and had very high work volumes." In a statement, TAIC acting chief investigator of accidents Louise Cook said the accident was preventable. "There were no engineering protections in place - nothing automatic to stop a train or to warn that rails weren't in place. Engineering controls are more reliable than rules and procedures that govern human behaviour. "We've recommended KiwiRail require such protections wherever tracks are impassable - like in the Purewa Tunnel that night, where the track had been removed for repairs. "Authorisation for the rail movement relied on people applying rules and procedures. But those failed because safety-critical staff were overworked, and the people who knew the track was gone were unavailable and hadn't communicated crucial information." The commission recommended KiwiRail review and improve its process for authorising rail movements within worksites to ensure the safe movement of all rail traffic and personnel within protected work areas. The recommendations included the "verification of track integrity and the sharing of and access to safety-critical information". KiwiRail has also been called to review and improve its rules and procedures relating to track maintenance work. Lastly, it was being asked to review its national project management structure to ensure there was sufficient oversight of and ongoing support for all project staff. KiwiRail accepted all of the commission's recommendations. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
18-06-2025
- Scoop
Charges Filed By Maritime NZ Against KiwiRail Following Investigation Into 2024 Ferry Grounding
Maritime NZ has filed two charges against KiwiRail after completing a comprehensive and wide-ranging investigation into the grounding of the Interislander ferry, Aratere last year. The Aratere grounded just north of Picton on 21 June last year, it had 47 people on-board at the time. Thankfully, all passengers and crew were safely returned to shore. The ferry was re-floated the following evening. Maritime NZ's Chief Executive, Kirstie Hewlett, says the two charges filed against KiwiRail under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 relate to failures by the operator to keep crew and passengers safe while on-board the ferry. 'This was a complex incident and important investigation given it focussed on KiwiRail bringing in new systems to older vessels and broader safety management. It required us to look at systems, policies and procedures, culture, within KiwiRail in relation to the incident. A significant number of interviews were conducted, as well as collating and reviewing a substantial amount of relevant documentation and evidence. 'The time taken to undertake this investigation, collate and review the evidence, and decide on compliance action is consistent with other complex and major incidents. As we have now filed charges in court, we cannot talk about what our investigation found,' Kirstie Hewlett says. Note: Charges: Charge 1: s48 charge - in that it had a duty as a PCBU, namely to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health and safety of those passengers and crew who would sail aboard the Aratere and that failure exposed crew members and passengers to the risk of death or serious injury. Maximum penalty $1.5m Charge 2: s49 charge under HSWA - in that it had a duty as a PCBU, failed to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of those passengers and crew who would sail aboard the Aratere. Maximum penalty: $500,000
RNZ News
18-06-2025
- RNZ News
Charges filed over Aratere grounding
transport law 13 minutes ago Maritime NZ has filed two health and safety charges against KiwiRail over its grounding of the Interislander ferry Aratere nearly a year ago.
