We already have a rail network stretching across the motu – it’s time to use it properly and bring back passenger rail.  

New Zealanders deserve a modern, efficient transport system with real choices for how they get around – whether it’s driving, taking a bus, flying, or taking a train. 

Aotearoa was once linked up by railways and public bus services – with services between major centres, and a myriad of small towns in between. Today, we have a rail track sitting under-utilised, while fossil fuel prices continue to rise and flying domestically is unaffordable for many New Zealanders. 

Now is the perfect time to use the track that we already have and revitalise our passenger rail network. We’ve proven the demand for rail through the Te Huia service: it regularly exceeds patronage targets, has reduced emissions, and has high levels of customer satisfaction.  

It’s time to invest further in this network: expand Te Huia to Tauranga, reinstate the overnight rail service between Auckland and Wellington, and bring back the Southerner connection between Christchurch and Dunedin.  

Sign our petition to tell the Minister for Rail that you want passenger rail services reinstated! 

Petition Begins 

Tēnā koe Minister, 

We write to you to ask that you reinstate our much-loved passenger rail services across the motu. 

Travelling through Aotearoa is becoming inaccessible for many New Zealanders. The rising cost of fossil fuels is pushing up air fares, and the expense locks many of us out from travelling easily and affordably to see whānau, friends, and loved ones.  

New Zealanders deserve a modern, efficient transport system with real choices for how they get around – whether it’s driving, taking a bus, flying, or taking a train. 

Knowing you are an advocate for rail, we ask that you reinstate passenger rail services as a matter of priority, beginning with: 

• Extending Te Huia to Tauranga 
  
  
• Restarting an overnight rail connection between Auckland and Wellington with modern sleeper cars 
  
  
• Bringing back the Southerner between Christchurch and Dunedin 

Reinstating passenger rail will connect our regions up and down the country, allow for more efficient movement of people and freight, and reduce congestion on our roads – especially in peak holiday travel times between cities and towns.  

Te Huia has proven the success of passenger rail already, by exceeding patronage targets, reducing emissions, and having high levels of customer satisfaction. New Zealanders have shown they want rail and they will use it. It’s time to give the people what they want! 

Sincerely, 

The Undersigned