Media statement

25 November 2014

Matangi and Tawa Station projects Engineering Excellence finalists

Wellington’s Matangi trains project and the highly successful community engagement around the new Tawa Station building have been selected as finalists in this year’s NZ Engineering Excellence awards.

“We’re delighted these projects have been recognised as finalists in these prestigious awards – a great achievement for all concerned,” says Fran Wilde, Chair of Greater Wellington Regional Council.

“The Matangi are the first new trains in the region for 30 years. Passengers love them and have flocked back to rail, to the degree that we are now approaching record high levels of patronage.

“The Matangi trains would look and feel at home on any international metropolitan line; they’re modern, spacious and comfortable, and are fully equipped with visual and audio information displays. Their designed low floor areas are designed to meet the needs of less mobile passengers, and accommodate wheelchairs and buggies.

“Punctuality and reliability of services have improved dramatically since the entire new fleet began running in 2011/12. This has been assisted by massive work on the rail network including new and refurbished stations and the modernisation of the power supply.

“Public satisfaction with the new rail deal is reflected in surveys and more importantly increased patronage, with numbers 8% higher so far this financial year than last year.”

The Regional Council is also a finalist in the awards for the community engagement around the refurbishment of Tawa Station in 2012-13.

“It would be fair to say that the Council and community were at odds at the start of this project,” Fran Wilde says. “We believed the only viable option was to demolish the 125-year-old building which was basically rotting away but active community representatives were keen for it to be restored, whatever the cost. Through genuine engagement and keeping the community involved every step of the way, we were able to replace the old building with an asset in which the community has a keen sense of ownership and pride. This has really paid off in terms of reduced incidents of graffiti and vandalism.

“Two outstanding features of the new station building are the weather screens that, instead of being very basic and utilitarian, are works of art capturing Tawa icons and pieces of its history, and the use of recycled railway iron and timber which has added a flavour of local rail history to the structure.

“The outcome of the highly successful community engagement is a modern, functional station building that reflects Tawa community’s historical and cultural values while meeting the needs of passengers and the rail operator.“

The winners of the NZ Engineering Excellence awards will be announced this Friday (28 November).

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