KiwiRail earthquake update

Following our earlier communication regarding this morning’s earthquake, we continue to do all we can to restore services for our customers and for the New Zealand public. The latest update is as follows:

Open

• North Island Main Trunk Line Auckland to Palmerston North
• Palmerston North to New Plymouth
• Palmerston North to Napier
• Picton to Blenheim
• Christchurch to Invercargill

Closed

• North Island Main Trunk Line Palmerston North to Wellington. We anticipate this line re-opening this evening.
• Main North Line Blenheim to Christchurch is closed
• Midland Line - checks continue

Ferry sailingsSailings will resume this evening as follows:
• 20:30 Kaitaki from Wellington
• 18:00 Kaiarahi from Picton

Aratere sailings remain suspended due to damage to the Wellington linkspan.

In addition to the earthquake disruption, there is a severe weather warning in place for the region which may further impact ferry sailings.

Additional information

• The overbridge at Ava Railway Station (Lower Hutt) has been deemed structurally unsafe for Wellington electric services to run beneath, however we are hopeful that freight services may resume later this afternoon.
• There is significant damage to the Main North Line between Picton and Christchurch, particularly around Kaikoura. Early reports indicate this may be closed for several days.