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Waikato Regional Council welcomes Te Huia trial extension

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Published: 19/02/2026

Waikato Regional Council has today welcomed the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Board’s decision to support a 12-month extension of the Waikato-Auckland Te Huia trial.

The council wrote to the board in December asking for the extension to the end of June 2027 with 60 per cent central government funding.

It would enable patronage to recover and test the impact of benefits accruing from opening of the City Rail Link later in 2026 as well as continued implementation of a series of measures to increase both passenger numbers and revenue, the council said.

The NZTA Board agreed when it met in Wellington this afternoon. It means regional councillors will be asked to support continued local funding at the current rate when they meet next week to consider the budget for 2026/27.

Full engagement on the future of Te Huia would then occur as part of the 2027-2037 Long Term Plan process.

Waikato Regional Council Chair Warren Maher acknowledged the board for its timely decision. “We thank the board for considering our request favourably and giving councillors time to consider the next steps.

“I also note the support we received from local councils, as well as champions of Te Huia.”

In December, councils who form part of the Future Proof partnership – Auckland, Hamilton city, and Waipā and Waikato district – signalled their support for the extension of the trial at the 60 per cent funding assistance rate.

Letters of support from Auckland, Hamilton City, Waipā and Waikato district councils said they were committed to sustainable economic growth across the sub-region, along the Hamilton to Auckland corridor, and in the emerging economic zone centred around the north Waikato and south Auckland areas.

With housing growth continuing to be strong, it was essential that resilient multi-modal road and rail corridors are protected and developed over time to offer choice for people and freight today while protecting against future congestion, they said.

Full council meetings are livestreamed and recorded. Visit the website for the agenda and link: waikatoregion.govt.nz/council-meetings/council