Which entity holds final authority to set and announce the opening date of the City Rail Link, Auckland Transport, City Rail Link Ltd, KiwiRail, or the Crown, and under what agreement or statutory provision does that authority sit, if any?

Answer

I am advised that there is no single statutory provision that gives one entity sole authority to set the opening date. The opening date was confirmed through the project’s governance arrangements, with delivery partners including Auckland Transport, KiwiRail, Auckland One Rail and City Rail Link Limited. This date was subject to the required testing, assurance and approval of the variations to the applicable Safety Cases of KiwiRail and Auckland One Rail supporting the announced opening date. The Sponsors (the Crown and Auckland Council) were then advised, who then made the announcement.