New Zealand First’s Winston Peters announces $4b, 10-point plan for rail

The party outlined 10 points, including some commitments that have already been announced or are underway, with a cost for each. The total cost would be nearly $4 billion, but some of that has already been allocated.

The policy commits NZ First to delivering the $1.35b Rail Network Investment Programme announced this year, building the Marsden Point Rail Link, and introducing the two new Cook Strait ferries, Kupe and Cook, in 2029.

The 10 points are to:

Deliver the $1.135b Rail Network Investment Programme. Cost: already fully funded and reflected in the Prefu.Build the Marsden Point Rail Link. Cost: the $410 million already allocated will support delivery and is already reflected in the Prefu, with the remaining funding determined after the current KiwiRail competitive design and tender process involving Acciona, Downer/HEB, and Martinus Rail, which will result in a firm construction price substantially below KiwiRail’s previous $1.1b estimate.Unlock capacity through the Kaimai Tunnel. Cost: less than $100m, primarily for additional passing loops.Establish Auckland Rail and Wellington Rail as companies co-owned by taxpayers and ratepayers, bringing metropolitan rail infrastructure and passenger trains under clear, accountable ownership that responds to taxpayers and ratepayers. Cost: $5m establishment and transition costs.Make Te Huia permanent. Cost: $130m from capital allowance to purchase new trains, Government’s operating co-funding from the National Land Transport Fund.Back permanent passenger rail in Christchurch. Cost: $4m per annum for Government’s operating co-funding for commuter rail, low millions in commercial finance deal to procure new locomotives for Mainlander.Continue removing dangerous level crossings. Cost: national level crossing upgrades included in the Rail Network Investment Programme, $300m fund from the capital allowance to progress the next three-year stage of level crossing removals in Auckland and Kāpiti.Deliver the new Cook Strait ferries. Cost: $1.7b upper limit already fully funded and reflected in the Prefu.Plan Auckland’s third and fourth main lines and protect the Avondale-Southdown rail corridor. Cost: $50m to progress engineering planning, with bulk of funding allocated to land acquisitions.Protect heritage rail. Cost: $500,000 per annum already allocated and reflected in the Prefu.

“We have spent years rebuilding the foundations, and our 10-point rail programme locks in what we have already delivered and funded, then takes the next practical steps,” Peters said.