Don Braid: Mainfreight Managing Director on the Government's Cook Strait ferry announcement

There’s little faith from some in the freight industry that new Cook Strait ferries will be delivered on time. 

The Government's announced its intention to buy two new ferries for the Cook Strait crossing but is being criticised for refusing to reveal the cost. 

The first stage of the procurement process is set to finish in March, with the vessels sailing by 2029.  

But Mainfreight Managing Director Don Braid told Heather du Plessis-Allan he's not sold, and expected more information. 

He expects the March deadline to come and go, and says delays seem typical of this government. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
So straight to that fairy announcement yesterday that actually told
us very little. It is being reported this morning that
actually there is a deal to buy two fairies. Nichola
Willis is hammered it out sometime in the last year,
but nothing's been announced because Winston Peters first wants to
see if he can strike a better deal.

Speaker 2 (00:14):
First.

Speaker 1 (00:15):
Main Frights Managing director Don Braid is with us now.

Speaker 2 (00:17):
Morning Don, Good morning Heather. Don.

Speaker 1 (00:20):
Now if this is the case, if it is true
what's being reported, then probably what's going on is Winston
still wants to try and find some fairies that are
rail enabled. Is that important to you to have them
rail enabled?

Speaker 2 (00:31):
You railed enabled, rail compatible? To play on words, isn't it.
At least they're acknowledging that rail has a role to
play in the movement of freight across the country. And
I think the other good thing is to have a
Minister for Rail is a good thing. We at least
I've got someone inside the government that thinks about rail,
that is happy about using rail and investing in rail,

(00:53):
whereas previously you'd have to say that they're all road focused.

Speaker 1 (00:57):
Were you expecting a little bit more than we got
yesterday though.

Speaker 2 (01:00):
Oh yeah, of course we were. And you know, will
we find that the March deadline will come and go
as well likely? I mean, I think it's sort of
the behavior of this current government that things are delayed. However,
I mean, if what you are saying is right, that
they have actually managed to do, there will be there

(01:23):
is at least a plan in place and they're underway.
That's a good thing.

Speaker 1 (01:26):
Yeah, and we're still having to wait another five years
until twenty twenty nine to get these bad boys on
the water. How do you feel about that?

Speaker 2 (01:34):
Oh? Yeah, but it was always going to be that
case anyway. I think it was going to take some time.
And key we rail a confident that they think they
can get this current lot through to twenty nine with
the investment that they're making and maintenance. So you know,
and if you read between some of the lines in

(01:54):
terms of Nikola Willis's announcement, you know there has been
a lot of work done. Suppose lead with shipyards saying
that they can get these things in place by twenty nine. Well,
if that's the case, then at least we know that's underway.

Speaker 1 (02:07):
Imagine yourself as the Minister of Rail, what's your dream plan,
what would you buy?

Speaker 2 (02:13):
Oh, I mean, I think the mistake made by Kiwi
Rail is that when those costs ballooned out to three
or whatever it is, four billion, they should have rethought
the process and you know, taking a step back and
gone to something that's more efficient. But we certainly need
rather than this country, I'd be investing in below the
line and making sure that above the line the thing

(02:36):
makes money.

Speaker 1 (02:36):
You're good to talk to. You don't always is, Thank
you very much, Don brad mainfre It's managing direct down
by the way, Winston Peters is with us after half
past seven.

Speaker 2 (02:43):
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