Regional rail pitch stirs memories of last train out of Morrinsville

Friday, 16 May 2025

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It’s been over 20 years since a passenger train last stopped in Morrinsville, locals recall, but they say it’d be “fantastic” if it came back to the town.

Cathy Balvert remembers the last time the train ran to Tauranga, because she took it with her kids, now in their 30s.

“I took my children when they were very young on the very last train that was ever travelling through Morrinsville.”

While that was “20 plus years ago”, she thinks it would be “a fantastic idea” to bring it back.

Green Party policy announced on Wednesday proposes extending the existing Te Huia train service, between Hamilton and Auckland and building additional stations in Tauranga, Morrinsville and Waharoa.

Stage one of the proposed work would involve proof of concept work costing $2.4 million, and station building and refurbishments to the tune of $20 million.

The trip between Tauranga and Auckland would take two-and-a-half hours, and could be established in two years, according to the proposal.

Matamata-Pikao Mayor Adrienne Wilcock said connectivity between the three regions is “not a new concept”, but for there to be passenger rail, the benefits would need to outweigh the costs.

In a written statement, she said the initiative would require “significant investment” and a business case that “stacked up”.

Balvert, who’s the chair of the Morrinsville Chamber of Commerce says a train service stopping in Morrinsville would be “good for the town”, and would be “well supported”.

“We have an older dynamic here and a lot of people have family in Tauranga, and they don't all drive.”

“So to have the train service here where they can just literally drive down and park their car in the car park, I reckon it's a fantastic idea.”

Graeme Taylor of Harry’s Surf and Street in Morrinsville says a rail service from Auckland to Tauranga stopping in Morrinsville is a “great idea”, but he doubted its success.

He said freight rail hadn’t been “used properly” for years, and compared with Australia, New Zealand really needs to “up their game” if they want people to use the train.

Graeme’s wife Joann said a passenger rail service would be “fantastic” for visiting rellies in Tauranga for the day, and would be much better than driving over the Kaimai Ranges.

“Everyone I know that goes to Tauranga complains about the traffic and the trucks on the Kaimais.”

“It's unbelievable some days.”

Trish Hart and Jacqui Burr from Wildbella Florist say families would be keen to use the service too.

Hart remembers catching the train herself, and said for people with small kids, it was a fun day out.

“…Just to be able to go over there and have lunch and then come back, but you want to be able to stay for a few hours.”

Burr, who has young children, said her kids think it’s “just the coolest thing” to go on the train.

While her family would use it “from time to time”, she said commuters and builders working in Auckland may use it too.

Wilcock said she “assumed” there may be some interest for commuting from Morrinsville to Hamilton, but the extent of the demand and how the extended route would perform would need to be understood.

Despite the increasing number of people from Auckland and Tauranga moving to the area, Bayleys Real Estate agent Wayne Robb was doubtful the service would be attractive to commuters.

He said Te Huia was “going backwards” at “a million miles an hour” just going from Hamilton to Auckland, and with the number of level crossings in the area, the train wouldn’t be able to go fast enough.

“I don't know whether anyone would use it enough to make it actually pay for itself.

“You've got to have it as a service, but you still have to have people using it to warrant the cost.”

“I think they’re gonna jump on that plane and by the time it gets up it’s time to come down.”

“I can get to Manukau in about an hour and 10 in a car because we’re only 20 minutes to the expressway.”