A $667 million proposal to expand the Te Huia train service has sparked a backlash from Waikato regional councillors, with one calling the idea “stupid” and demanding it be stopped.
Others want cheaper buses investigated before millions more are spent on the Hamilton-Auckland rail service. Some were more positive, with one reminding colleagues the proposal was a “very long term” look at possibilities.
The clash of views came during Tuesday’s transport committee meeting, where councillors considered a report outlining six options for Te Huia’s future beyond its trial, which ends in July 2027.
Most of these include more frequent trains, new stations and battery-electric trains, with most starting in central Hamilton rather than Frankton.
However, Councillor Ben Dunbar-Smith questioned the emerging preferred option, citing $256 million in infrastructure costs and another $411 million for trains — a combined $667 million.
Councillors backed his call for staff to report back after comparing the costs with continuing the existing trial or running express buses from Hamilton to connect with Auckland trains.
Councillor Chris Hughes slated what he says is a “stupid’’ preferred option.
“We should be stopping this now rather than continuing to spend money on more reports without giving consideration of the cheapest option, which is an express bus from here to the connection service, which takes you downtown.”
Hughes was concerned about projected annual operating costs of about $50 million and the tab for taxpayers and ratepayers that wouldn’t be covered by fares.
“I’m not happy to go and talk to our ratepayers about increasing the current cost … from $3 million to $20 million. That’s what’s been projected. You just can’t do that,’’ Hughes said.
It was also critical that Auckland helped fund the service, Hughes said.
Staff confirmed Auckland City Council participated in the technical work contained in the report but has not committed any funding to Te Huia.
Councillors clashed over Te Huia’s future during a transport committee meeting on Tuesday.Photo: Christel Yardley / Waikato Times
Councillor Noel Smith felt the report could raise “unrealistic expectations” before funding and community support were settled.Councillor Gary McGuire said he was “really disappointed’’ with the report, arguing it doesn’t clearly identify the service’s target audience or adequately compare rail with bus and car alternatives.
He also questioned whether patronage would grow enough to justify the added cost, noting the current service’s low fare recovery and saying recent fuel pressures hadn’t led to a large enough shift to public transport.
“I don't see any chance of getting higher patronage.”
The council’s regional transport connections director Phil King stressed that the soon-to-be-completed business case was a 50-year planning exercise requested by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, rather than a request to approve construction or new rates.
It would potentially inform separate decisions about the service and its funding. But there would be public consultation before those later decisions, potentially through the council’s long-term plan.
Councillors could decide to continue the existing service rather than immediately pursue expansion, King said.
Councillor Jennifer Nickel challenged the negative responses to the business case, noting “this was to figure out what can technically happen”.
Nickel said the train’s future depended on central government support, NZTA funding and communities being willing to pay, noting the business case takes a “very long term’’ view.Committee chairperson Councillor Angela Strange supported considering the wider corridor, including a Pōkeno station and better integration with Auckland ticketing.
“This is about casting a vision.”
Council chairperson Councillor Warren Maher backed publicising the report’s findings.
“We need to get it out there so people can talk about the costs. People can talk about what comparisons they may be looking for and that sort of thing.”
Maher warned that shelving or delaying it would leave councillors no better informed by November or December, when the business case would be presented to the council, as part of NZTA requirements stretching back to the start of the five-year Te Huia trial.
“So let’s be open and transparent. Get this out there.”
Councillors resolved to put the paper to the full council’s next meeting.
Published in Waikato Times 27 October 2026
For further information concerning the points raised in this article:
- Golden Triangle Passenger Rail Initiative
- Time for a national public transport network
- National Regional Passenger Rail Network
