Editing Cook Strait (section)

=== Ferry services ===
{{see also|Transport in New Zealand#Ferry services|Marlborough Sounds#Ferries and marine farms}}
Regular [[ferry]] services run between [[Picton, New Zealand|Picton]] in the Marlborough Sounds and [[Wellington]], operated by [[KiwiRail]] (the [[Interislander]]) and [[StraitNZ]] (Bluebridge). Both companies run services several times a day. Roughly half the crossing is in the strait, and the remainder within the Sounds. The journey covers {{convert|70|km|mi}} and takes about three hours. The strait often experiences rough water and heavy swells from strong winds, especially from the south. New Zealand's position directly athwart the [[Roaring Forties|roaring forties]] means that the strait funnels westerly winds and deflects them into northerlies. As a result, ferry sailings are often disrupted and Cook Strait is regarded as one of the most dangerous and unpredictable waters in the world.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}} In 1962 the first ferry service to allow railway carriages, cars and trucks began with [[GMV Aramoana|GMV ''Aramoana'']].<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 June 2024 |title=A brief timeline of Cook Strait ferries |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/25-06-2024/a-brief-timeline-of-cook-strait-ferries |access-date=28 January 2025 |work=[[The Spinoff]]}}</ref> In 1994 the first fast-ferry service began operation across Cook Strait.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}