New Zealand finalises $1.360bn three-year rail programme

The New Zealand Government has finalised the 2024/25-2026/27 Rail Network Investment Programme, providing $1.360 billion over three years, announced by Rail Minister Winston Peters.

• Programme details: Provides $1.360 billion across 2024/25–2026/27 to fund maintenance, renewals and network operations (re-sleepering, re-railing, ballast, culverts, bridge renewals, telecommunications and signalling upgrades) across regions; regional summaries list specific kilometre and asset renewal targets (e.g., 21km re-sleepering in South Canterbury, 32 traction asset renewals in Waikato electrified northern section).
• Background and assets: The announcement references the 2020 law change to fund rail like roads and notes complementary assets funded earlier including new train control centres in Upper Hutt and Auckland, thousands of wagons, shunts and locomotives, and that rail ferries have been secured for further service life; the programme runs region-by-region with works scheduled within the 2024/25–2026/27 period.