Environment Waikato are currently deliberating over whether to include Waikato rail in their Annual Plan.

An Auckland-to-Hamilton train service is being touted for the Rugby World Cup as a way to boost visitors to the city.

KiwiRail public affairs general manager Kevin Ramshaw confirmed it was “looking at excursion trains… between Hamilton and Auckland”, linked to 10 games in either Hamilton or Auckland.

Just as people from all around the south of England think nothing of jumping aboard a train to go to London for a day’s shopping, or to catch a show or a concert, Auckland, as New Zealand’s equivalent for entertainment, shopping and just about everything else, should be making it as easy as possible for our Waikato cuzzies to do the same.

The report is here, but petition is effectively dismissed in one sentence:

The majority of us note that this service has recently been considered by the relevant local authorities and they decided not to establish such a service at this time, and therefore we have no matters to bring to the attention of the House.

The problem for David Bennett though is that is manifestly not true.  Cr Dave McPherson goes as far as calling it “complete crap” and that “Hamilton City Council has continued to support it and has not pulled its support”.

Environment Waikato is yet to meet with the NZTA to discuss the matter.

David Bennett is clearly wrong.

Environment Waikato will receive a petition this Thursday asking for a commuter rail service between Hamilton and Auckland to be included in its Annual Plan.

Signed by over 11,500 people, The Campaign for Better Transport petition has already been presented to central Government for consideration. However, campaign manager Jon Reeves says it is important for Environment Waikato to take a proactive stance.

“Environment Waikato need to take a proactive stance on this issue” said Mr Reeves. “They are charged with organising public transport in the Waikato area. Rather than simply sitting on the fence, the council needs to advocate and engage with the Government to get the service up and running in time for the Rugby World Cup. A good start would be to meet with local government MPs and instruct them to publicly support the service”.

Environment Waikato’s Annual Plan currently makes no mention of a Waikato to Auckland rail service, in spite of a favourable report on the idea which the organisation received over a year ago. The report confirmed the economic benefits of a rail link for the Waikato region.

The petition will be supplemented by the presentation of 500 personalised postcards to Environment Waikato councillors.

Submissions on Environment Waikato’s Annual Plan close this Friday. Mr Reeves is urging the public to make personal submissions in support of Waikato trains by emailing

The CBT has written a submission for you. Feel free to add to, or delete from, the submission.

RECOMMENDATION: Add a paragraph as to why you want the trains. Perhaps you are a student, a business person, retired, or just would fancy the region by train. Whatever, make the point known.

All you have to do is download it and send it to: Please cc so we can manage the numbers submitted.

LAST DAY THIS FRIDAY 30th APRIL!!

 Waikato Rail Business Case

Things have moved on a bit from when this study was done.  For instance, the study thinks that 1 service a day would be all that is required, but we really think 3 services a day would be extremely well patronised.  One business alone, with offices in Hamilton and Auckland, would take at least 10 seats a day on the service.

Of course, having commissioned the study which shows a positive benefit cost ratio, Environment Waikato are now ignoring it completely.

The CBT has made it easy for you, and you can kill two birds with one stone and submit your opposition to big trucks at the same time.

A template submission to the Hamilton City Council is here. Email this one to

A template submission to the Waikato District Council is here.  Email this one to

Yes, you can send a submission to both councils, no matter where you live. With everyone’s help, we’ll get our Waikato Trains Now!

The Green Party is urging the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) to support the passenger train service between Waikato and Auckland.

“This is a common sense project with massive public support,” said Green Party transport spokesperson Gareth Hughes.

Mr Hughes is in Hamilton for the presentation of Campaign for Better Transport’s 11,000 signature petition in support of the service.

“Every day hundreds of people drive between Auckland and Hamilton. A fast, efficient commuter service could allow them to do the trip faster, in more comfort, and also allow them to work if a wireless internet link was established on board the train,” said Mr Hughes.

Plans for Hamilton Underground Station To Be Revealed

A petition calling for a commuter rail link between Hamilton and Auckland will be presented to the Government this coming Monday, at the Hamilton Railway Station.

Sustainable transport group The Campaign for Better Transport has collected over 10,000 signatures in a little over four months, with the majority of signatures coming from the Waikato towns of Hamilton, Ngaruawahia and Huntly.

Campaign manager Jon Reeves says the petition has been an overwhelming success.

“It’s probably the biggest ever petition presented on a local issue. The support we have had from the people and businesses of Waikato has been truly incredible. Most people do not believe we have to resort to a petition simply to get a rail service between New Zealand’s fourth largest city and Auckland.

“We will be asking Waikato political representatives to represent the views of their constituents.”

The “Waikato Trains Now!” petition will be presented to local Labour MP Sue Moroney, with Hamilton City and Environment Waikato councillors also expected to attend, along with central Government MPs.

A survey conducted by the Hamilton City Council found that over 80% ratepayers were willing to contribute to get a three times daily Waikato rail service off the ground. However, the idea is being resisted by Environment Waikato and Hamilton National party MPs David Bennett and Tim MacIndoe.

The final number of Waikato Trains Now! petition signatures will be announced at the presentation, but it is expected to easily eclipse the 10,328 signatures collected by the Campaign for Better Transport in 2008 for an Auckland Airport rail service.

“The Government plans to spend over $2 billion on roads in the Waikato, so in comparison the cost of a frequent commuter rail service is just peanuts. We believe a commuter rail service will be a far more cost effective solution and, unlike the 10 or 12 year wait for the Waikato Expressway, the train services could start this year and provide immediate relief to traffic congestion for daily commuters.”

The Campaign for Better Transport is also pushing for Hamilton’s central underground railway station to be reopened. The station is located beneath The Warehouse on Victoria St, within 300 metres from Fonterra offices, Hamilton City Council and a number of other businesses in the CBD. It was last used in the early 1990′s, and Mr Reeves says it has largely been forgotten about.

The Campaign For Better Transport will be releasing concept drawings this Monday on how the station could work to add to the appeal of commuter rail.

“This petition presentation is just the start of this campaign and we expect to see some positive action from the Government, NZTA and Environment Waikato as a result of it,” concludes Mr Reeves.

[ends]

DETAILS OF PETITION PRESENTATION:

• Presentation of petition by the Campaign For Better Transport
• Receiving MP Sue Moroney ( Hamilton List, Labour)
• Monday 29th March from 9:30am – 10:15am
• Hamilton Railway Station (Fraser St, Frankton)

Contacts: Jon Reeves – Waikato Trains NOW! Campaign Organiser 021 535 295