KiwiRail released in 2010 a 10-year turnaround plan for the rail industry . This was accompanied by significant government investment in KiwiRail of over $ 2.1 billion during the period 2008 to February 2017 . In May 2017 , the government announced a further $ 450 million capital injection and that KiwiRail would be subject to a further significant review . The plan has been significantly undermined by the Christchurch earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 , the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake , Pike River Mine disaster , coal price collapse , coal miner Solid Energy going into voluntary administration in 2016 and major motive power issues with the new DL class of locomotives . Nevertheless , significant improvements in freight volumes have followed ( other than with coal )
Pike River Mine disaster
Pike River Mine disaster
Rail transport in New Zealand