Aratere Interislander Ferry News Today

Unions are calling on the finance minister to resign after making a "fast and loose" call to deny further funding for the Interislander upgrade project.

A project to replace the Interislander ferry fleet will now not go ahead as the coalition government has declined KiwiRail's request for further funding.

Snow warnings have been issued for roads and some Cook Strait ferries have been cancelled for a second time this week.

Snow warnings have been issued for roads, winds could reach gale force for much of the country and some Cook Strait ferries have been cancelled for a second time this week.

Large swells made conditions too dangerous for early morning Cook Strait ferry sailings and snow closed the Desert Road today, though stormy weather has begun to ease.

The Commerce Commission has opened investigations into both Cook Strait ferry companies after months of cancelled and delayed sailings.

Ferry services have been cancelled as heavy swells hit Cook Strait and high winds buffeted central and southern parts of the country overnight.