A Whole Lot Of Train Stuff
Here's a few points about trains --
-- Train Drivers have been told by KiwiRail to slow , as the tracks have buckled in the current heat .
-- Auckland Train Drivers have had several strikes lately , throwing passengers in 'chaos' -- buses have been called in to get people to work and home .
-- Hamilton and Waikato Council , and the Labour led coalition , are proposing a commuter train to Papakura . This will cost at least $78 million , and at least $1 million a year in subsidies . It can carry up to 150 people , but appears likely to take 30-40 daily .
-- That is $2 million per person in 'capital' costs . A new Nissan Leaf electric car is $62,500 , a new hybrid is $37,500 , a new Tesla is around $120,000 . You could literally GIVE each commuter one of these vehicles , and be 18 to 50 times better off !
-- The $1 million a year subsidy works out at $500 per person per week subsidy . On top of the $30 trip charge ( they pay $300 a week , taxpayers and ratepayers pay another $500 a week , on top of the $78 million setting this up !
-- A new 45-50 seat bus is $400,000 to $650,000 , depending on level of luxury .
-- BusIt runs a daily bus service to Pukekohe ( it appears with no sudsidy ? ) and charges $10 each way -- less for pensioners etc . This is not suitable for commuters , but shows what can be done .
-- Air New Zealand is offering $39 fares Tauranga to Auckland , again it appears they receive no Govt subsidy , they buy mult-million dollar planes and have to make money .
-- It appears LTNZ will reduce or cancel any funding for the Hamilton to Papakura commuter train .
-- BusIt can run a daily bus service a similar distance for just over $10 .
-- Air NZ can run planes Tauranga to Auckland $39 .
-- Hamilton Council can run a daily train to Papakura , but need to spend $78 million , plus top it up by another $1 million , for 30-40 people a day ?
Will this loco loco still proceed if no-one votes for the the current Mayor ? Lets hope it is canned -- it is absolute financial stupidity IMO .
Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
Want to read more? The Press has you covered!
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53.9% Human-centred experience and communication
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14.3% Critical thinking
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29.2% Resilience and adaptability
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2.6% Other - I will share below!
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
Poll: Are you a Te Huia fan?
All three Hamilton MPs appear to be united behind the retention of the Te Huia passenger rail service between Hamilton and Auckland, as well as potentially expanding it to Tauranga.
But whether Hamilton East’s Ryan Hamilton, Hamilton West’s Tama Potaka and soon-to-be Labour list MP Georgie Dansey have the combined power to shunt transport minister Chris Bishop and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon onto their line of thinking remains to be seen.
Are you a Te Huia fan? Tell us more in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
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81.4% Yes
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18.6% No
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