James Meagher

It is so fantastic to be here in the Chatham Islands.

I'm down at the port.

Significant announcement around procuring finally the new vessel here for shipping services to the Chatham Islands.

There's an agreement now signed off by Cabinet

to start negotiations with McCullen Brothers and Nova Marine on a new 78 metre vessel.

Now that's going to be vital for the resiliency of the island.

Everything that comes in and off this island, barring a bit of air freight, is done by these vessels.

And we're talking livestock, we're talking groceries, products, resources, gear for the Fulton Hogan crew doing the roading out here.