Kupe and Cook: Names of new Cook Strait ferries announced
The New Zealand government has announced that two new rail-enabled ferries, to be built in China, will be named Kupe and Cook. Minister Winston Peters defended the names as a reflection of maritime heritage, despite anticipated criticism regarding the colonial implications of the name Cook.
Why it matters
The naming decision highlights ongoing cultural debates in New Zealand regarding colonial history and national identity, while also marking a significant infrastructure investment in the country's transport network.
The two new Cook Strait ferries will be named Kupe and Cook .
Minister for Rail Winston Peters has also confirmed KiwiRail will operate the ferries, once they arrive in 2029.
The government is buying two rail-enabled ferries , to be built by Guangzhou Shipyard in China, to replace the current ageing fleet.
In a speech to stakeholders at Parliament, Peters said the names Kupe and Cook were a "look to the future with positive recognition of the past," and spoke to New Zealand's maritime heritage.
"These are proper names. Historic names. New Zealand names."
Peters anticipated there would be pushback against the name Cook , with his speech targeting "snivelling wokesters" who considered Cook to be a "harbinger of colonisation".
"A mature country does not run from its history. A serious country does not vandalise its memory to satisfy the latest fashion in whinger politics."
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in