Rt Hon Winston Peters
New Zealand First Leader
15 January 2013

Gisborne-Napier Rail Closure Hampers Regional Development

The decision to close the Gisborne to Napier rail line is another nail in the coffin of regional economic development which is being ignored by the Government.

New Zealand First leader Rt Hon Winston Peters says the Berl economics report which says the line closure is based on flawed analysis should come as no surprise.

“The Government’s malaise is two-fold when it comes to this issue.

“Its KiwiRail Turnaround Plan is a sham which instead of creating a world class system is actually contributing to the destruction of our national rail network.

“But the line closure is also symptomatic of the scant regard National and its coalition partners have in revitalising regional economies in areas such as the East Coast.

“The Government should simply instruct KiwiRail to reopen the Gisborne to Napier line which, according to the Berl report, can be profitable.

“Anything else will be detrimental not just to the manufacturers and exporters of the East Coast but to the country’s overall economy.

“Put simply, National’s record on rail since 1993 has been a disgrace,” says Mr Peters.

ENDS

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