6 Logistics & Transport NZ
The RNIP is KiwiRail’s response to deliver on the Government’s strategic direction for rail, informed through the New Zealand Rail Plan and Government Policy Statement on Land Transport. The primary direction has been to invest in a resilient, reliable, and safe railway network. Photos: KiwiRail
Rail Network Investment Programme
BY BEN JOHNSTON
Introduction The inaugural Rail Network Investment Programme (RNIP) is a watershed document that represents a monumental shift for KiwiRail in how the renewal, maintenance, operation, and improvements of the rail network are funded and planned. The foundation of this is a firm commitment from the Government to invest in a resilient and reliable national rail network. Now KiwiRail has longer term funding certainty and a 10-year forecasted programme of investment. KiwiRail will be preparing a new RNIP every three years to cover all rail activities that will be partially or fully funded through the National Land Transport Fund (NLTF) in either the Rail Network activity class (freight and tourism network) or Public Transport Infrastructure (metro networks) activity class. The Rail Network activity class is funded by Crown appropriation, NLTF revenue and Track User Charges (TUC).
Government strategic direction The RNIP is one deliverable from the Future of Rail review established in late 2017 and led by the Ministry of Transport alongside KiwiRail, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) and The Treasury. The review identified how rail can contribute to New Zealand’s transport system, and identified the investment needed for rail to play a successful role in the system. Prior to the release of the RNIP, other deliverables have included: • The New Zealand Rail Plan • An updated Value of Rail Report. • The Land Transport (Rail) Legislation Act 2020 (the Rail Act). The Rail Act amends the Land Transport Management Act 2003 (the LTMA). The RNIP is KiwiRail’s response to deliver on the Government’s strategic direction for rail, informed through the New Zealand Rail Plan and Government Policy Statement on Land Transport. The primary direction has been to invest in a resilient, reliable and safe railway network. This is a step change from historic investment levels that have left a large backlog of asset renewals. The focus of the first RNIP, in line with the priorities set out in the New Zealand Rail Plan, is:
