At this point , construction of the line was plagued by natural disasters and a lack of government will to complete the project . The 1931 Hawke 's Bay earthquake resulted in the closure of the Napier - Putorino section . Work initially continued after the earthquake , and by September , all that was required to complete the Napier to Wairoa section was one tunnel , one viaduct , and 13 km of track . Due to the toll of the earthquake and the Great Depression , the government recommended that work cease and the line be abandoned . In 1935 , a new government was elected , and in early 1936 , it ordered the recommencement of work . This led to the Napier - Putorino section being reopened on 17 October 1936 . On 1 July 1937 , the 275 m long Mohaka Viaduct was completed ; at 97 m high , it is New Zealand 's highest viaduct . The full line from Napier to Wairoa and Waikokopu opened on 23 August 1937 . Severe flooding in February 1938 forced the closure of the entire line beyond Putorino and killed 21 construction workers on the final stage between Waikokopu and Gisborne in the Kopuawhara disaster . The line was restored to operational standards by December 1938 and transferred from the PWD to NZR on 1 July 1939 . Work persisted through World War II and the final stage was completed in 1942 . The PWD was able to operate freight trains through to Gisborne from 3 August 1942 , passengers were carried from 7 September 1942 , and the complete PNGL passed into NZR ownership on 1 February 1943
1931 Hawke 's Bay earthquake
1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake
Palmerston North–Gisborne Line