Auckland - Waikato Intercity Rail Passenger Potential Developments

The New Zealand Government yesterday signed New Zealand’s first urban growth partnership between the Central Government, local councils and mana whenua. It relates to the development areas of Auckland and Waikato which is part of New Zealand transports Golden Triangle encompassing the transport links between Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga. This will help to manage the development between New Zealand’s fastest two growing metropolitan areas of Auckland and Hamilton in innovative new ways. It is likely New Zealand's largest, and most demand intensive, transport corridor for both people and freight.

The partnership’s work programme includes initiatives that could strengthen the corridor connections. These include blue-green connections such as walking and cycling trails along the Waikato River to the Manukau harbour, and very notably new intercity rapid rail services and a new mass transit network for the emerging Hamilton-Waikato metropolitan area.

It is reported that work is now underway on a Central Government Cabinet-mandated business case for a modern, rapid rail line connecting Auckland and Hamilton that would unite two of the country’s largest labour markets.

This is very exciting for New Zealand and its rail passenger markets in particular. A similar outcome to what is on the regional rail corridors in the State of Victoria in Australia, such as the Melbourne to Ballarat or even Geelong to Melbourne corridors, could be a ultimate outcome. 

These could be nation changing developments. Certainly the Golden Triangle transport network of Auckland - Hamilton - Tauranga could do with a massive shot in the arm re public transport connectivity to really start growing in a sustainable manner that part of New Zealand. This would make it a better place for all to live, work and play whilst further stimulating economic activity.

Looking further afield, other opportunities exist in the Lower North Island around Wellington and Palmerston North and maybe even Christchurch in the South Island.

The future is certainly looking brighter than it has in recent decades in regard to intercity rail opportunities in New Zealand. These sort of developments will help to support a ambitious and progressive New Zealand.