The bulk of the investment will be spent on improvements to the Auckland rail network. Specifically, four rail schemes have been identified:
- $NZ 315m to upgrade the Wiri - Quay Park line in Auckland - this includes laying a third track to relieve congestion between Wiri and Westfield, providing more capacity at Westfield Junction, and improving access to Auckland ports
- $NZ 371m to electrify the 19km Papakura - Pukekohe line in Auckland
- $NZ 247m to build two new stations at Drury East and Drury West south of Auckland, and.
- $NZ 211m to upgrade the rail network in the Wellington, Wairarapa and Palmerston North areas and refurbish Wellington commuter trains.
Ardern says the infrastructure programme is a once in a lifetime opportunity to invest in New Zealand to modernise infrastructure, prepare for climate change and help economic growth.
“The previous government announced a number of projects, but never funded them,” Ardern says. “It makes sense to do this now because we’ve managed the books wisely and have historically low interest rates, which makes our programme affordable.”
