KiwiRail welcomes TAIC findings on Kaitaki incident and reiterates commitment to…
KiwiRail accepts the final report of the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) into the Kaitaki loss of power incident in January 2023 and welcomes the clarity it provides on the causes of the incident and the safety lessons for the wider maritime sector.
The report follows earlier court proceedings under the Health and Safety at Work Act, in which KiwiRail accepted full responsibility, and gave a formal apology to those impacted by the incident. Those proceedings addressed accountability, while the TAIC investigation has independently focused on the underlying causes and systemic safety lessons for the maritime sector.
“The safety of our passengers, crew and vessels is fundamental, and we acknowledge the findings of the TAIC report,” said KiwiRail Chief Operations Officer Duncan Roy.
“The incident was serious, and it prompted a comprehensive reassessment of how we manage and maintain our ferries, and how our crews are supported to respond quickly and safely in emergency situations through training, and regular exercises.”
The report makes it clear that this was not just a mechanical failure, but a test of how people, systems and processes perform under extreme pressure. It highlights the importance of clear decision-support, training and regular emergency exercises, particularly in complex machinery-failure scenarios.
Since the incident, Interislander has strengthened emergency response training, introduced engineer-based emergency response simulation and training and expanded the scope and frequency of emergency exercises, including multi-agency scenarios, to ensure crews are well prepared for complex, time-critical situations.
At the outset, Interislander undertook a full review of its asset management practices, supported by global maritime experts, to ensure operations align with world-class standards. As part of this work, Interislander now actively monitors around 10,000 individual components across its vessels, as well as all critical onboard systems, a level of detail and specificity that is unusual within the maritime industry.
To support improved asset management practices, Interislander also established a Technical Advisory Group (TAG), made up of senior maritime experts, to provide oversight and advice. The group monitors asset performance, operational standards, incident reporting and technical developments, and makes recommendations to strengthen safety and reliability.
“The TAIC report reinforces the importance of component level maintenance, strong oversight and emergency preparedness,” Mr Roy said.
“These principles are now embedded in how we manage our ships every day.”
Since returning to full service after the incident Kaitaki has made over 3,600 crossings of Cook Strait, and its reliability to sail over that period has been 99% (excluding weather).
The current Interislander fleet has been independently assessed by international maritime experts DNV, which found there are no systemic issues preventing the vessels from operating safely until at least 2029, subject to enhanced levels of maintenance investment, which KiwiRail is committed to delivering.
“The safe and reliable operation of Interislander is a non-negotiable requirement for the KiwiRail Board and management,” Mr Roy said.
“Our focus is on running a safe, resilient and reliable service with Kaitaki and Kaiārahi until the arrival of two new, larger, rail-enabled ferries in 2029.”
KiwiRail says it remains committed to applying the lessons from the Kaitaki incident, maintaining robust safety systems, and ensuring Interislander continues to perform its vital role connecting New Zealand.