The New Zealand government's 2023 budget plans to invest €320.98 million (NZ$569.2 million) in the long term in the expansion and modernisation of New Zealand's rail network, which is operated by the New Zealand state railway KiwiRail. €112.8 million has been allocated to rebuild the North Island lines destroyed by the storms and Cyclone Gabrielle in early 2023. The Napier – Wairoa line in Hawke's Bay, Swanson – Whangarei line in Northland and sections of the Auckland metro network were particularly affected. €5.6 million has been set aside for the electrification of lines on the North Island, which is already in the planning stage. The focus is on the Papakura – Pukekohe line in Auckland, Palmerston North – Wellington line on the North Island and the Tauranga – Auckland line, which accounts for about half of New Zealand's overall rail freight transport. A further €202.6 million is included in the 2021 RNIP investment programme.
