Northland rail

Kauri to Otiria

Work to reopen the mothballed rail line between Kauri (just north of Whangārei) and Otiria (near Moerewa) has been paused and will now be built into the proposal to build the Marsden Point Rail Link.

The link would mean forestry and other export goods the Far North produces would have direct access to Northport, without having to go all the way to Auckland or Tauranga’s ports. The alternative of rail-freighting from Otiria to Whangārei and then road-freighting to Northport is less efficient. Combining the two rail projects means rail could offer an Otiria to port service.

More information about the decision is available here:

Rail upgrade north of Whangārei aligned with Marsden Point Rail Link | KiwiRail

Swanson – Whangārei

Around 30,000 containers leave Northland each year and rail can now tap into this market. KiwiRail upgraded the North Auckland Line between Swanson and Whangārei, allowing hi-cube shipping containers to be carried on the line for the first time.

Highlights of the project:

• Lowered track through 13 tunnels
• Replaced five aged bridges
• Laid 150,000 new sleepers and nearly 63,000m3 of ballast to provide a more secure base for the track
• More than 400,000 hours went into construction phase of the project

The line re-opened in early 2021 after a four-month closure to allow for the tunnel and bridge upgrades.

Marsden Point Rail Link

Northport is one of the few ports in New Zealand that is not rail connected. A short spur is needed to join it to the national rail network, adding much needed resilience to the wider North Island supply chain by creating more transport options.

The route, designated for rail use in 2012, is approximately 19km and runs between Oakleigh, south of Whangārei, and Northport. The width of the designated rail corridor future proofs for double tracking and all five road crossings on the route would be grade separated if the rail link goes ahead.

Government investment has enabled KiwiRail to purchase the necessary land for the route and undertake detailed design of the link.

By mid-2025 we expect to send the detailed design and a revised business case to the Government, for it to consider and agree next steps for the funding and construction of the spur line.