6. Question No. 6—Prime MinisterHon RON MARK (NZ First) to the Prime MinisterQuestion No. 6—Prime Minister6. Hon RON MARK (NZ First) to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by her Government's investment in New Zealand's infrastructure and capabilities? Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Deputy Prime Minister) on behalf of the Prime Minister: Yes particularly support for our inter-island ferry service. On 14 May 2020 we were pleased to announce that the Interislander ferries are to have their capabilities dramatically improved. Our Cook Strait ferry service is a critical link between the North and South Islands both for passengers and cargo and the $400 million we have set aside for replacing the three ageing Interislander ferries will restore KiwiRail to its rightful place in New Zealand's transport infrastructure. Hon Ron Mark: How will the upgraded Interislander service improve New Zealand's rail network? Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: On behalf of the Prime Minister the ships that we will build will be the first brand new purpose-built ferries that New Zealand has had in over 25 years. At the moment only the Aratere is rail-enabled. This is a result of successive Governments' failures to invest in New Zealand railways and as a result the Aratere has a number of expensive technical problems. With the new ships we will ensure the main trunk line between the North Island and the South Island is as well-connected and reliable as it should be whilst ensuring that passenger services take full advantage of the journeys on offer. Hon Ron Mark: Can she tell the House what investments the Government has made in the New Zealand Defence Force's (NZDF's) infrastructure and capabilities? Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: On behalf of the Prime Minister the coalition Government has made huge investments in NZDF's infrastructure capabilities and personnel with $4.3 billion in operating and capital funding allocated in total across the past three Budgets. This represents the greatest injection of defence funding in decades and we're exceptionally proud of our Defence Force and its people and there was a great example of their being of assistance yesterday in the rescue of two trampers gone for 19 days in the Kahurangi National Park. A crew of Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) personnel in an NH90 helicopter successfully searched for Jessica O'Connor and Dion Reynolds—who are now safe and well—in the most difficult circumstances. It was a remarkable tale of endurance and survival but it wouldn't have been possible were it not for our Defence Force again and as a result of the coalition Government backing them again. Hon Ron Mark: Why were the Defence Force called in to assist with that search mission? Hon Dr Nick Smith: You found them personally. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: I beg your pardon? Hon Dr Nick Smith: I said you'd think you'd found them personally. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: Here comes Valium again. On behalf of the Prime Minister the New Zealand Police—for whom we would like also to express our profound admiration and gratitude—requested the support of the RNZAF's NH90 helicopters because of their exceptional capacity and ability and suitability to the type of terrain that the pair found themselves in. Equipped with night vision goggles and winching capabilities these helicopters and crew performed exceptionally well and again it underscores for those who are always critical of the military just how profound their humanitarian reach is. I want to thank the member in particular as the Minister of Defence because his opponents have not asked a question of him or me on this issue since 18 September 2018. SPEAKER: Order! Order! Order! Order! Order! Hon Mark Mitchell: Oh when you said I was in the wrong helicopter? SPEAKER: OK.