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As accidents / incidents occur within the transport sector in New Zealand, TAIC endeavours to keep the regulators, operators and general public informed. This is achieved by many different methods, including but not limited to: radio, news releases, media conferences, social media updates and publication here. If you want to be kept abreast of the latest news etc, click the link at the bottom of the page.

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Figure 1: Two-car Matangi train (not the accident train) (Credit: Josh McArthur)

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has published an interim report as part of its ongoing investigation into an incident involving a passenger train on the Johnsonville line north of Wellington on 6 June 2026.

ATR72-600 aeroplane, ZK-MVL

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has published its final report into an engine fire and evacuation involving an Air New Zealand ATR72-600 on approach to Wellington on 1 September 2024.

Track worker locations and approaching train

On 8 May 2025, a Northbound passenger train approached a worksite near Plimmerton at 62 km/h. The trainee locomotive engineer saw two workers were on the track ahead, applied the emergency brake and stopped about 5 metres from where the workers had been. Nobody was hurt.

Figure 11 from the report. Diagram of collision sequence

Two track workers in hi-rail vehicles narrowly avoided a head-on collision with a freight train upon exiting the Kaimai Tunnel, where they had been working without protection. A series of miscommunications meant they believed protection was in place, and train control did not know they were on the track in the tunnel. The Commission has made recommendations for KiwiRail to clarify ambiguous procedures, improve radio coverage in and around the tunnel and improve safety-critical communication.