Kaimai Express

The Kaimai Express provides a unique rail journey connecting the major cities of Auckland, Hamilton, and Tauranga. This specific excursion on October 18, 2026, represents the second such trip of the year, following a previous successful run in May. The service allows passengers to travel through one of New Zealand's most important population corridors by train, a route that currently lacks regular scheduled passenger services.

The event is organized by advocacy groups The Future is Rail and Tauranga Rail. These organizations use the sold-out excursions as a signal to local and national government bodies that there is a strong appetite for permanent inter-regional rail infrastructure. The initiative aims to prompt feasibility studies for future metro and inter-regional rail links, including potential electrification of the line.

Public response to the Kaimai Express has been robust, with tickets for the October journey selling out shortly after being made available. The excursion coincides with broader efforts to improve sustainable transportation in the region, building on the development of the City Rail Link in Auckland and the existing Te Huia service between Auckland and the Waikato.