NZ First rail policy 2026

The story so far

In October 2026, New Zealand First pledged a 12-month trial of commuter rail between Rolleston, Rangiora and Christchurch, and the return of The Southerner, if re-elected.^{18 Oct} Winston Peters unveiled the party's 10-point rail policy, called the Commonsense Express, at a meeting in Levin, and said it built on existing coalition commitments.^{27 Oct} Labour leader Chris Hipkins said his party was open to expanding rail but was making no specific Canterbury commitments.^{18 Oct} The Government later approved a $3.4 million loan to Mainland Rail for a 12-month passenger rail trial.^{1 Nov} Commuter services between Rangiora, Rolleston and central Christchurch are due to start in mid-2027, and regular Christchurch–Dunedin–Invercargill services are expected to resume next year.^{1 Nov}

Latest

The most recent development is the Government's approval of the $3.4 million loan to Mainland Rail for the trial.^{1 Nov}

What's next

Commuter services are due to start in mid-2027, running between Rangiora, Rolleston and central Christchurch.^{1 Nov} Regular services between Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill are expected to resume next year.^{1 Nov}

Key moments

1. 18 OctNZ First pledges Canterbury commuter rail trial and Southerner return if re-elected
2. 18 OctLabour open to expanding rail but makes no Canterbury commitments
3. 27 OctPeters unveils 10-point Commonsense Express rail policy in Levin
4. 1 NovGovernment approves $3.4 million loan to Mainland Rail for trial
5. 1 NovRegular Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill services expected to resume next year

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.