Central Government control (1876-1982) Rail transport in New Zealand

following abolition of provinces in 1876, railway lines controlled central government, under public works department, , 1880 under new zealand railways department. minister of railways responsible department, , member of new zealand cabinet.

a few private companies built railways in new zealand, including new zealand midland railway company, wellington , manawatu railway company, waimea plains railway, , thames valley , rotorua railway company. wellington , manawatu railway company, nationalised in 1908, achieved measure of success, rest being purchased government before completion of intended railway lines.

the first major route completed between christchurch , dunedin in 1878, later extended invercargill following year. north island main trunk, linking capital city wellington largest city auckland, opened in 1908 after 23 years of construction. @ network s peak in 1952, 100 branch lines operating. large-scale closures of branch railway lines began in 1960s , 1970s. network protected road transport competition under transport licensing act 1931, protection gradually eased until total abolition in 1983, along deregulation of land transport industry.

the networks of north , south islands independent of 1 until introduction of inter-island roll-on roll-off rail ferry service in 1962 railways department, branded interislander.