Ferry Procurement Proceeds At Pace
'Ferry Holdings is not a Government department and will be a lean organisation backed by deep expertise,' says Mr Mackenzie.
'Six shipyards with expertise, capability and the capacity to deliver the ships in 2029 have been shortlisted by our Board, and our management team has invited them into the closed tender Request for Proposal (RFP) process ahead of contracts being signed later this year.
'Ferry Holdings has met with all shipyards virtually and shipyard visits are planned over the coming weeks, with Ferry Holdings represented by our Ship Programme Director.
Key advisor selections have been made for the ship procurement process:
• Naval Architects – Knud E Hansen will support and advise on design and process for the build of the ships.
• Ship Interior Designer – OSK Design will lead the design of the interior ship fitout.
• Maritime Lawyers – Holman Fenwick Willan will provide specialist maritime law expertise across the procurement and build phases.
• Shipbrokers – BRS Shipbrokers will provide specialist commercial maritime expertise across the procurement and build phases.
'In terms of personnel, the company has direct leads on the ship, infrastructure, and commercial finance and legal programmes and is recruiting for a chief executive,' Mr Mackenzie says.
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Developing Countries Decry "Problematic" Loss And Damage Finance Gap As Global 'Fill The Fund' Campaign Launched
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Elena Cristina Pereira Colindres, FRLD Board Member (Honduras), speaking on behalf of the G77 constituency: "The current financial situation and the lack of clarity on the overall scale of the Fund will likely affect the start-up phase and the long-term scaled financing needed from the Fund. 'We therefore raise the question of whether the Board should now shift its priorities towards launching an initial capitalisation and replenishment process of new, additional, predictable, and adequate resources at a scale that goes far beyond the initial pledges." Richard Sherman, Co-Chair, FRLD Board (South Africa), speaking in his national capacity: "We have to build the abacus, so to speak, of the fund's financial architecture: how we mobilize money, how we bank contributed funds, and how we disperse money to countries. Although this is a small step, it has a big, big, big footprint. 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Liane Schalatek, Associate Director, Heinrich Böll Foundation Washington, DC, said: 'Only 358 million US Dollar in the bank when at least the same number in billions is needed per year – this is the sad state of efforts to mobilize financing to #FillTheFund for responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD). 'Announced with much fanfare at COP28 in Dubai 20 months ago, developed countries have so far failed to fulfill their legal obligation and moral duty to help marginalized people and vulnerable communities in developing countries to cope with ever more devastating extreme weather events with hurricanes, floods and droughts, glacier melt and sea level rise, and more and more lives and livelihoods lost. No more excuses and evasions. 'We need public grant finance delivered to the Fund in the billions as a matter of urgency and climate justice. If countries in the Global North can find money for military expansion, subsidizing fossil fuels, beefing up border controls and tax gifts for the richest, they can summon the resources to #PayUp4LossAndDamage - NOW!' Chiara Liguori, Climate Justice Senior Policy Adviser, Oxfam GB: 'The establishment of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage in 2022 was hailed as a historic moment. But little money has followed since then. We have only seen more excuses and delaying tactics. 'What would be really historic now is for rich countries to live up to their responsibilities, honour their obligations and pay up for the losses and damages they have caused. Only this would ensure justice to the people left displaced, hungry or sick by the reckless behaviour of the richest and biggest polluters.' Lien Vandamme, Senior Campaigner, Center for International Environmental Law, said: 'States and corporations with historic and current responsibility for the climate crisis have legal obligations to pay for the damage. While we celebrated the historic step taken at COP27 to establish a Loss and Damage Fund, this fund remains an empty shell and people and communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis have yet to receive the first penny. '2025 is the year to change this: as countries are discussing how to scale up resources of the Loss and Damage Fund, international courts are confirming State obligations to repair climate and environmental harm, at home and abroad. COP30 must tie all of this together and deliver a clear path forward towards the urgent delivery of hundreds of billions needed annually. The delay must end and polluters must pay.' 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' Ineza Umuhoza Grace & Nicolas Gaulin, Global Coordinators, Loss & Damage Youth Coalition, said: An empty Fund means more droughts, floods, and temperature extremes. An empty Fund means broken homes, displaced families, and unchecked destruction and disease. An empty Fund means foregoing development to pay for a crisis the primary victims didn't create. An empty Fund means developed countries continue to downplay and reject their historical responsibility in fueling the climate crisis. An empty Fund means no trust in real action. Developing countries and frontline communities have the right to new, additional, predictable, public, grants-based and easily accessible funds to survive and thrive. 'These funds are neither charity, nor development aid or investment opportunities. These funds are meant for equitable climate action that addresses real pain at the frontlines. Nothing short of trillions will rectify this egregious breach of justice and global solidarity, consistently perpetuated by a collective of wealthy nations. The Fund must be filled today, tomorrow, and until it matches the scale of needs on the ground. Nithi Nesadurai, Director & Regional Coordinator, Climate Action Network Southeast Asia, said: 'Given the increasing frequency of extreme weather events and their rising intensity, which are aggressively adding to the loss and damage being incurred in the developing world in particular, it is imperative that developed countries meet their obligations by contributing significantly to the Fund with immediate effect. Delay tactics cannot be tolerated anymore.' Dr. Isatis M. 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Waiuku's Hard Water Crisis
Local Board Representative Demands Equitable Action From Watercare, Leveraging New Financial Independence To Address Unfair Burden On Residents Waiuku, Auckland, 1 July 2025 Franklin Local Board Representative Gary Holmes is intensifying his call for Watercare to address the long-standing issue of hard water in Waiuku. This demand comes as Watercare embarks on a new era of financial independence, a change highlighted in their own press release today. Despite Watercare's recent statement at an open Franklin Local Board meeting that it cannot single out the community for water softening treatment, Holmes argues that this new financial autonomy provides the perfect opportunity to address the significant financial burden placed on Waiuku residents. Watercare stated at the recent Franklin Local Board meeting it cannot include water softening treatment as part of its $45 million upgrade of the Waiuku water treatment plant due to ongoing maintenance costs. They maintained that because the water meets safe drinking standards, further intervention is unnecessary. "Watercare's response misses the point entirely," says Holmes. "While the water may meet basic drinking standards, it is demonstrably failing to provide Waiuku residents with the same level of value and service enjoyed by most other parts of Auckland. This isn't about luxury; it's about fairness and preventing residents from bearing excessive costs. Now, with their new ability to borrow in their own name, without support from council or the government, Watercare has even less excuse to neglect the needs of Waiuku residents." Hard water, characterized by high mineral content, causes significant damage to household appliances, reduces the lifespan of hot water cylinders and kettles, and negatively impacts the taste and appearance of drinking water. Waiuku residents are currently forced to shoulder the financial burden of installing their own water treatment systems, frequently replacing damaged appliances, and even incurring costs for items like water cylinders at a much higher rate than other Aucklanders. "Watercare claims 'fairness and equity' in its service provision across Auckland," says Holmes. "But where is the fairness for Waiuku residents who are forced to pay more out of their own pockets for essential water-related infrastructure and maintenance, simply because Watercare is unwilling to invest in a solution that would benefit the entire community? Watercare Chief Executive Jamie Sinclair himself stated that their financial separation allows them to 'borrow more to deliver our ambitious $13.8 billion infrastructure programme without steep price rises for our customers.' This newfound financial flexibility should be used to deliver equitable services for all Aucklanders, including those in Waiuku." A recent survey conducted by Holmes revealed widespread dissatisfaction with Waiuku's water quality and the resulting financial strain. Key findings include: • Appalling rating: Residents ranked their drinking water a dismal 1.8 out of 5. • Financial strain: Most households reported spending thousands of dollars on appliance repairs and individual softening systems. • Overwhelming demand: Nearly 90% of respondents believe Watercare should incorporate water softening in the plant upgrade. "The survey responses paint a clear picture of frustration and financial burden," says Holmes. "Residents are tired of replacing appliances, battling limescale buildup, and feeling like second-class citizens when it comes to water quality and the associated costs. Watercare's refusal to implement a water softening solution effectively means Waiuku residents are paying for a lower quality of service, despite contributing to the same utility. With Watercare planning to invest around $1 billion on new and upgraded infrastructure for Auckland over the next year, it's imperative that a portion of this investment addresses the long-standing hard water issue in Waiuku." Holmes is urging Watercare to reconsider its decision and include a water softening system in the upcoming upgrade. "This is a critical opportunity to address a longstanding inequity and provide Waiuku residents with the same standard of water and value enjoyed by the rest of Auckland," he states. "It's time for Watercare to listen to the community, acknowledge the real financial impact of their policy, and leverage their new financial independence to deliver a solution that is truly fair and equitable for all.
