The Green Party has proposed reviving and expanding intercity passenger rail services across New Zealand, aiming to offer a more affordable and connected transportation alternative if elected. The party’s plan includes launching an overnight train service between Auckland and Wellington, establishing passenger rail links between Christchurch and Dunedin, and extending the existing Te Huia route to Tauranga.

Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson highlighted the benefits of investing in public transport, emphasizing that such services can save time and money while providing more travel options. “For many parts of New Zealand, public transport remains expensive and infrequent, especially over long distances,” Davidson said. She pointed to the country’s history of a reliable passenger rail system that once linked communities with fast and frequent services. However, Davidson noted that privatisation had led to the sale of rail assets for private profit and a decline in infrastructure quality due to underinvestment. The consequence, she said, is a rail network struggling with cancellations, delays, and replacements by buses.

Julie Anne Genter, the Green Party’s transport spokesperson, stressed that much of the existing rail infrastructure remains in place, making restoration a practical goal. She argued that revitalizing commuter rail would benefit smaller towns and regions by increasing visitor numbers and economic opportunities, while better connecting these areas to major cities.

In contrast, National Party leader Christopher Luxon expressed skepticism about the proposal’s viability, warning against allocating taxpayer funds to a service he described as a potential “white elephant.” Luxon emphasized the importance of population density for the commercial success of passenger rail and questioned whether the proposed routes meet that criterion.

The debate reflects broader tensions over infrastructure investment and the future of public transportation in New Zealand, with the Greens advocating for enhanced rail options as a sustainable alternative to road travel, while National cautions against projects lacking clear economic justification.