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By how much will average train speeds on the main trunk and regional freight lines decrease with KiwiSaver's budget cuts of $200 million, if at all, and what productivity loss (in tonne-kilometres) does this represent?

Answered Question 6260 (2026)
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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • By how much will average train speeds on the main trunk and regional freight lines decrease with KiwiSaver's budget cuts of $200 million, if at all, and what productivity loss (in tonne-kilometres) does this represent?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail

Answer

Temporary speed restrictions are used internationally as a way to keep trains running safely, when track faults are discovered. They are constantly being applied to small parts of the network and lifted once the issue has been repaired. Some may only be in place for a matter of hours.