30 Sep 2026
3 weeks ago
305 views
Rail Minister Winston Peters praised KiwiRail's strong annual performance, highlighting a $162 million operating surplus, 11% growth in rail freight revenues, and a 3% increase in freight volumes for the year ending June 2026. He emphasized KiwiRail's vital role in New Zealand's economy, moving a quarter of exports, supporting millions of passenger journeys, and benefiting from investments that have modernized the fleet and improved infrastructure funding. Despite skepticism, KiwiRail has achieved high reliability, particularly with the Interislander service, thanks to dedicated workers and strategic management.
18 Aug 2026
2 months ago
494 views
The 1,000th rail wagon has been produced at Dunedin’s Hillside Workshops as part of a government-backed programme assembling 1,350 modern wagons to enhance KiwiRail’s freight network, supporting exporters and regional industries. This initiative revitalized Hillside, creating over 200 construction jobs and employing around 110 staff in mechanical engineering, assembly, and infrastructure, while rebuilding practical rail skills in Dunedin. The new wagons improve rail reliability, contribute to freight solutions across New Zealand, and position the country to have one of the youngest rail freight fleets globally.
18 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1261 views
The new Third Main Line in Auckland, funded in 2020 with a $328 million investment, is set to revolutionize rail freight and increase the frequency of passenger trains, according to Rail Minister Winston Peters and Transport Minister Chris Bishop. The opening event in South Auckland included a passenger train journey along the 6.5km line from Wiri to Middlemore Station. This project aims to alleviate congestion on roads, boost efficiency in freight connections, and enhance transport options for Aucklanders, complementing other recent investments in the city's transport network.