The Campaign For Better Transport

As covered by the Waikato Times this morning, the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee will not be considering the CBT led petiti0n for a Hamilton to Auckland rail service. 

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.

Media Release 28th April, 14:00

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 Annual Plan for Environment Waikato has, accidentally, left out any mention of the Hamilton – Auckland commuter trains. This is YOUR CHANCE to remind them they should happen this year.

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!!

Environment Waikato conducted a business case study into the feasibility of a rail service between Hamilton and Auckland. We have uploaded it in PDF format here:

 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.

Submissions on the Draft Annual Plans for Hamilton City Council and Waikato District Council close this Friday, 23rd April. This is your chance to remind both councils you want Waikato Trains Now!

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!

From the Green Party:

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.

Media release from the Campaign for Better Transport

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.

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Few people know it, or it has been lost in the mists of time, but there is actually an underground train station in the middle of Hamilton, right underneath the Warehouse on Anglesea Street.  Here are a couple of photos to prove it, supplied by the intrepid Jon Reeves.

The CBT is currently working on developing some concept drawings which will be released soon.  The plans for the current station are available here, for those interested.