The ARA’s Aotearoa Rail Committee held its final meeting for 2024 this week to review progress against a new set of key milestones to be delivered in 2025.  

At this week’s meeting, committee members discussed several new initiatives including progressing a pilot operational benchmarking exercise between Australian and New Zealand operators, establishing a new rail safety policy committee, facilitating greater engagement between young rail professionals in New Zealand, and collectively addressing workforce challenges.  

The group was established earlier this year and is responsible for the oversight and delivery of the ARA’s Aotearoa Strategy 2023-2028, with members of the committee including Kiwi Rail, Auckland One Rail, Auckland Transport, Transdev (operator of Metlink), and Greater Wellington Regional Council. 

The committee also discussed next steps to commence the development of its next research report, which will seek to analyse the major challenges and opportunities for the rail workforce in New Zealand. The report will outline tangible recommendations and actions to ensure the industry is equipped with a skilled, capable and diverse workforce into the future. It is expected the report will be finalised by mid-2025. 

For further information, please contact Simon Bourke General Manager – Advocacy and New Zealand.