
Poll: Should The Southerner passenger rail service be reinstated?
The Southerner passenger train will be resurrected if The Opportunities Party (TOP) wins a seat at the general election, its leader says.
TOP’s transport policy, released on Wednesday, pledges support for a five year trial of The Southerner, the passenger rail service between Christchurch and Invercargill which ended in 2002.
TOP leader and Ilam candidate Raf Manji said the trial would operate between Christchurch and Dunedin, stopping in towns like Timaru and Ashburton along the way.
Depending on demand, it could operate five to seven days a week and do two or three return journeys a day. TOP has estimated the cost at $100 million, based on the costings of the Hamilton to Auckland train service, Te Huia.
What do you think? Should the service be reinstated? Read reporter Sinead Gill's full story here (subscription required) and let us know what you think in the comments below.
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85.9% Yes
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10.7% No
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3.4% I'm not sure/something else (tell us in the comments)

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Poll: Is your nearest emergency department up to scratch?
Concerns have been raised about Nelson Hospital with complaints of lack of staffing and excessive wait times. Do you have confidence in your local emergency department?

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36.8% Yes, it serves us well
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62.4% No, I have concerns
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0.8% Other - I'll share below

Fire in Bromley
Fire and Emergency - Canterbury have shared that they are responding to a large building fire this afternoon in Maces Road, Bromley.
A large fire has broken out in a Christchurch commercial building, spreading smoke across the city.
Fire and Emergency NZ said the Anzac, Christchurch City, Woolston and Spreydon stations responded to the blaze on Maces Rd in Bromley at 12.52pm on Monday. Thick black smoke could be seen rising from the fire and was visible across the city.
Residents across the city were impacted by smoke from a large controlled burn-off near Bottle Lake Forest Park on Monday morning which is separate to this incident.
What you need to know:
- If the smoke is impacting your property, please close all doors and windows.
- You are asked to stay away from the area to allow crews to safely extinguish this fire.
