NZ First announces rail policy costing nearly $4 billion

New Zealand First has announced a 10-point rail policy with a total cost of nearly $4 billion. Winston Peters, who is New Zealand's Rail Minister, announced the plan at a public meeting in Levin on 27 October 2026.

Peters called the policy the "Commonsense Express" and said the party had always backed rail. RNZ reported his comments on the other parties: "Unlike the other parties that sold it off, ran it down, or talked about it without delivering, we have the track record to prove it."

The policy commits to delivering the $1.35 billion Rail Network Investment Programme, which was announced earlier this year. It also includes building the Marsden Point Rail Link.

Two new Cook Strait ferries, named Kupe and Cook, would be introduced in 2029. The ferries cross the Cook Strait between the North and South Islands.

The rail plan builds on an earlier commitment to trial commuter rail in Canterbury. It also includes a pledge to bring back the Southerner Train.