The New Zealand Transport Agency’s decision to extend the Waikato-Auckland passenger rail service Te Huia for an additional year has been warmly welcomed by Rail Minister Winston Peters, who described the move as both pragmatic and justified given the service’s performance and early challenges.
Mr Peters said the continuation of Te Huia represents a significant step in ensuring a fair and comprehensive evaluation of the service, which was originally introduced as a five-year trial. He noted that the trial period had been disproportionately affected in its early stages by the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly the extended Auckland lockdowns that severely limited travel demand during the service’s first year of operation.
“The five-year trial service was negatively impacted by the Covid-19 Auckland shutdowns in its first year, so a one-year extension is pragmatic and means a fair assessment can be given,” Mr Peters said.
Te Huia was established following targeted government investment in rail infrastructure. The Government funded KiwiRail to refurbish passenger carriages and construct a dedicated mechanical depot in Hamilton, ensuring the service had the operational capacity and reliability needed to support regular commuter operations. That investment laid the foundation for the inter-regional rail link that now connects Hamilton and Auckland, providing an alternative to road transport along one of the country’s busiest corridors.
Mr Peters highlighted that Te Huia has evolved beyond its initial expectations. What began as a trial service has grown into a well-supported weekday commuter route and a popular weekend connector between Waikato and Auckland. The service has increasingly been used by commuters travelling for work, study, and business, as well as by leisure passengers heading to Auckland for events, shopping, and tourism.
Operated by KiwiRail on behalf of the Waikato Regional Council, Te Huia has recorded strong patronage figures and achieved a 98 percent customer satisfaction rate — a performance Mr Peters credited to the professionalism and commitment of KiwiRail’s crews.
“This Waikato Regional Council’s service has received strong patronage, developed into a weekday commuter and weekend city connector, and has 98 percent customer satisfaction rates which are a credit to operator KiwiRail’s crews,” he said.
The extension provides additional certainty for passengers and regional planners, while also allowing policymakers to assess the long-term viability and potential expansion of the service based on more representative operational data. With pandemic-related disruptions now largely in the past, the additional year is expected to offer clearer insight into sustained demand patterns and economic impact.
The continuation of Te Huia also underscores the Government’s broader focus on strengthening regional transport links and improving sustainable travel options. Rail advocates have long argued that improved passenger rail connectivity between major centres can reduce congestion on highways, lower emissions, and support balanced regional development.
Mr Peters concluded by reaffirming support for the service and its future prospects.
“We are pleased to see the service will continue,” he said.
The one-year extension ensures that Te Huia will remain a key transport link between Waikato and Auckland, maintaining momentum for regional rail connectivity and offering passengers a reliable alternative to road travel.