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What analysis has been done comparing the short-term fiscal savings from rail cuts with the increased cost to Waka Kotahi for road damage caused by heavier freight traffic shifting from rail to trucks, if any?

Answered Question 6151 (2026)
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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • What analysis has been done comparing the short-term fiscal savings from rail cuts with the increased cost to Waka Kotahi for road damage caused by heavier freight traffic shifting from rail to trucks, if any?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

There is an assumption that this change to RNIP funding will cause freight to move from rail to road. It is not clear this is the case, noting KiwiRail's freight volumes have increased in the recent half-year period by 7 per cent while the truckometer indicated road freight volumes lifted by 2 per cent.