Articles tagged with Kiwirail

Waihoehoe Road Upgrade Begins to Boost Auckland’s Transport Network by 2028

1 week ago | 162 views

Construction has begun on the Waihoehoe Road Upgrade, a key project aimed at enhancing transport connections and supporting long-term growth in Auckland’s rapidly expanding South Auckland area. The upgrade will widen a 400-metre section of Waihoehoe Road, add new lanes and signalised intersections, and improve access to the new Drury train station and nearby housing developments, forming part of a major east-west arterial route. Scheduled for completion by mid-2028 at a cost of $136 to $148 million, the project integrates roads and rail to support future public transport, safety, and community connectivity.

Tags: Chris Bishop Waihoehoe Road Auckland Drury Ngākōroa Paerātā SH1 Papakura SH22 Drury KiwiRail Transport Minister

KiwiRail Boosts Performance with $73M Surplus and 7% Volume Growth

3 weeks ago | 211 views

KiwiRail has shown significant improvement, achieving a $73.4 million operating surplus and a 7% increase in volumes due to focused commercial discipline and upgraded rolling stock. Investments in modern locomotives, better maintenance funded by legislative changes, and improved infrastructure have enhanced schedule reliability and reduced disruptions from natural events. Additionally, Interislander maintained 100% reliability during peak periods, demonstrating the success of KiwiRail’s strategic focus on reliability, cost control, and asset renewal.

Tags: KiwiRail Winston Peters Suzanne Tindal New Zealand Dunedin Hillside Workshops Stadler locomotives Interislander Infrastructure Commission Rail Minister South Island

Te Huia Passenger Rail Service Extended for One Year by NZ Transport Agency

1 month ago | 217 views

Rail Minister Winston Peters welcomes the New Zealand Transport Agency’s decision to extend the Waikato-Auckland passenger rail service Te Huia by one year. The service, funded to refurbish carriages and build a depot, faced challenges due to Covid-19 but has since gained strong patronage and high customer satisfaction. The extension allows for a fair assessment of the service, which has become a key commuter and city connector.

Tags: New Zealand Transport Agency Te Huia Rail Minister Winston Peters KiwiRail Hamilton Waikato Regional Council commuter rail service

Auckland Rail Network Rebuild Complete: Ready for City Rail Link and More Trains

1 month ago | 318 views

Auckland’s rail network has completed its five-year rebuild ahead of the City Rail Link (CRL) opening, marking the end of the most disruptive upgrade phase and enabling more frequent, reliable train services. Over 1,300 workers upgraded over 80 km of track, replaced key infrastructure, removed level crossings, and successfully tested the largest-ever simultaneous operation of 84 trains on the network. Future work will involve shorter, less disruptive closures focused on final testing and commissioning, promising a modern metro system that supports Auckland’s growth and reduces congestion.

Tags: Winston Peters Chris Bishop Wayne Brown Auckland City Rail Link KiwiRail Auckland Transport Henderson Station Takanini Glen Innes

Ngākōroa Train Station and SH22 Drury Upgrade Begin Construction in South Auckland

3 months ago | 900 views

Construction has begun on the Ngākōroa Train Station and interim upgrade of the SH22/Jezmond Road intersection as part of the SH22 Drury Upgrade project to improve transport options and support South Auckland's growing population. The project includes widening a 2km section of SH22, adding a fourth leg to the intersection, and building new railway stations funded by a $2.3 billion government investment, with Ngākōroa Station expected to open in 2027. Full construction of the SH22 upgrade, costing between $168 million and $197 million, will start in 2027 after land acquisition and funding approval.

Tags: Ngākōroa Station SH22 Drury Upgrade Mr Peters Mr Bishop Rt Hon Winston Peters KiwiRail NZ Transport Agency Papakura Pukekohe Auckland

Auckland City Rail Link to Transform Public Transport with 2026 Opening

3 months ago | 709 views

The upgraded Auckland public transport network centered around the City Rail Link (CRL) is set to open to passengers in the second half of 2026, with construction nearing completion and extensive safety testing underway. This major infrastructure project, the largest in New Zealand’s history, aims to transform urban mobility by reducing travel times, increasing train frequency, and revitalizing the city center. Key organizations including City Rail Link Ltd, Auckland Transport, and KiwiRail are collaborating closely to finalize construction, prepare staff, upgrade the rail network, and ensure a seamless transition for passengers.

Tags: City Rail Link Chris Bishop Simeon Brown Wayne Brown Desley Simpson Auckland Transport KiwiRail Rail Network Rebuild Henderson Station Auckland Mayor

New Infrastructure Funding Bill Boosts Housing Growth and Speeds Development

4 months ago | 391 views

The Infrastructure Funding and Financing Amendment Bill aims to ease development by enabling upfront financing of growth infrastructure, allowing properties benefiting from development capacity to be levied, thus overcoming council funding constraints. The amendments will broaden project eligibility to include agencies like NZ Transport Agency and KiwiRail, remove bureaucratic barriers, and ensure faster decisions with fewer vetoes to accelerate infrastructure delivery. These changes support the Government’s Going for Housing Growth Programme by providing flexible funding tools that help both planned and unplanned infrastructure meet housing demand.

Tags: Chris Bishop Simon Court Infrastructure Funding and Financing Amendment Bill Milldale Housing Growth New Zealand Transport Agency KiwiRail Infrastructure Funding Development Levy Government

Government Saves $2.3 Billion with New Interislander Ferries and Infrastructure

4 months ago | 415 views

The Government has secured two new Interislander ferries from Guangzhou Shipyard International under a $596 million fixed-price contract, with the total program costing less than $2 billion and saving taxpayers $2.3 billion by cutting expensive consultancy and excessive infrastructure. Funding for the infrastructure will be recovered through port fees and Interislander is expected to build reserves for future ferry replacements, operating like a normal business. The project is managed by Ferry Holdings with support from CentrePort, Port Marlborough, and KiwiRail, emphasizing fiscal discipline and minimizing disruption, while also strengthening economic ties with China.

Tags: Winston Peters Guangzhou Shipyard International Ferry Holdings CentrePort Port Marlborough KiwiRail Interislander Bluebridge Rail Minister Cook Strait

KiwiRail Welcomes New Directors as Jager and Wattie Conclude Tenure: Minister Peters Announces Changes

5 months ago | 522 views

KiwiRail directors Rob Jager and Bruce Wattie will finish their service on 31 October 2025, with two new directors appointed starting 1 November 2025, as announced by Minister for Rail Winston Peters. Jager and Wattie are recognized for their contributions, with Jager's leadership background and Wattie's accomplishments highlighted. New directors Murray Harrington and Alastair Bell bring financial acumen and governance expertise to help KiwiRail improve operations and meet expectations for increased efficiency and profitability.

Tags: Rob Jager Bruce Wattie Winston Peters Sue Tindal Murray Harrington Alastair Bell Shell New Zealand Air New Zealand KiwiRail New Zealanders

Boosting Economy and Connectivity: Celebrating Rail Infrastructure Milestones in Otago

5 months ago | 573 views

Port Otago hosted an event to celebrate the milestone of the new rail siding, with partners Dynes Transport and KiwiRail. Government ministers outlined investments in Otago's economic development and fast-track consenting steps. The rail infrastructure investments aim to boost efficiency, reduce road congestion, and support economic growth in the region.

Tags: Port Otago directors management workers Dynes Transport KiwiRail Jules Radich Shane Jones Mark Patterson Sir Julius Vogel New Zealand

Transformative Rail Investment in Auckland: Unveiling the Third Main Line Project and Future Upgrades

6 months ago | 635 views

The Minister of Transport highlighted the Government's significant investment in Auckland's passenger rail system, including projects like the Third Main Line and extending the electrified network. These investments aim to improve both commuter services and freight operations, benefiting the economy and reducing road congestion. Future plans include expanding rail capacity in Auckland's Southern Corridor and developing the Avondale-Southdown corridor to enhance freight connections and regional economic growth.

Tags: David Gordon Mayor of Auckland Minister of Transport New Zealand KiwiRail Wellington Northland Marsden Point Rail Link Fonterra

New Auckland Third Main Line Revolutionizes Rail Freight & Passenger Services

6 months ago | 574 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.

Tags: Auckland rail freight passenger trains Winston Peters Chris Bishop KiwiRail transport infrastructure economy New Zealand

Restoring History: Mataura Railway Station Transfer Ceremony

7 months ago | 733 views

Dignitaries, including Mayor Ben Bell and Minister Mark Patterson, gathered at Mataura Railway Station for its ownership transfer to the Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand. The historic station, designed by Sir George Troup, holds significance in New Zealand's rail heritage and industrial development. KiwiRail's increased funding commitment will aid in the restoration of the station, emphasizing the importance of preserving heritage for community identity and future generations.

Tags: Mayor Ben Bell Honourable Mark Patterson Vanessa Oakley Duncan Roy Dr Murray King Sir Julius Vogel Sir George Troup Sue Tindal KiwiRail Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand

New Zealand Rail Heritage Trust Receives Boost for Restoration Efforts

7 months ago | 679 views

Rail Minister Winston Peters announced an increased annual contribution to the Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand for restoring rail heritage buildings and structures. The Trust has restored various railway sites, including the Cass railway station, and aims to support more with local financial and volunteer help. KiwiRail is also repairing the historic rail footbridge at Moana and considering transferring ownership of the Mataura Railway Station to the Trust for restoration.

Tags: Rail Heritage Trust New Zealand annual contribution restoration efforts Rail Minister Winston Peters industrial heritage volunteer power engineering pride KiwiRail Sue Tindal

KiwiRail & Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Settle Project iReX Dispute for $144M

7 months ago | 853 views

KiwiRail and Hyundai Mipo Dockyard have settled on a $144 million payment to cover costs incurred from the cancelled Project iReX ferries, with KiwiRail emphasizing the decision was not a reflection on Hyundai. The settlement frees up more funding for other Government projects, debunking claims that canceling the contract would cost taxpayers the full $551 million contract value. The settlement marks the end of mismanagement by the previous government, which failed to consider necessary port infrastructure, resulting in a near quadrupling of project costs before its cancellation in December 2023.

Tags: KiwiRail Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Mr Peters RNZ The Post Tangi Utikere Nicola Willis Ferry Holdings Picton Wellington