FAQs

Te Huia is operating as a trial until mid-2026, but we don’t have funding certainty from central government beyond the end of June 2024. The NZTA Waka Kotahi Board is due to meet in May to consider the findings of our two-year review of the service. The Board will determine at this point whether it will continue funding the trial service to mid-2026, and how much. While its future is uncertain, we must continue to plan for service improvements, and these are detailed on page 27 of Waikato Regional Council’s 2024-2034 Long Term Plan consultation document.

Since Te Huia was first established, our focus has been on providing a reliable service for our passengers travelling on weekdays and Saturdays. Increasing the number of services and travel time options on weekdays and weekends remains a long term goal for Te Huia. For example, from 8 February 2024 a new inter-peak Te Huia service will begin.  

On Sundays, the essential major track works being carried out on the Auckland metropolitan rail network is conducted and requires line closures at times. This is expected to continue in the coming years. While these works already require our Saturday services to be cancelled from time to time, Sunday services would be more frequently impacted.

We will continue to work with our partners to identify and prioritise improvements which could be implemented once work on the City Rail Link in Auckland has been completed.

Frankton, Rotokauri or Huntly station. Check out our Stations page for more information.

Approximately 1 hour, 53 minutes from Frankton to Papakura.

If the train is at the platform, just hop straight on and choose a seat. The train manager will process your payment once you're on board. If the train is not there, wait at the platform until the train arrives. When it has come to a stop, press the button on the side panel of the door to open it, and board the train.

The train will leave from each station no earlier than the scheduled time. Passengers waiting on the platform when the train arrives will be able to board (capacity restrictions permitting).

No. Scheduled track maintenance is usually carried out on public holidays (both actual and observed) to ensure minimal disruption to regular services. Please check our Disruptions page for more information.

During the week, there are two northbound services, and two southbound services. On Saturdays, there will be one northbound morning service and one southbound evening service. Please refer to Timetables for specific times.

Yes. Find out more about fares.

Yes, a timetable change was approved in November 2021 to trial a southbound morning service and a northbound afternoon service. Please refer to Timetables for specific times.

No, unfortunately Te Huia does not stop in Pukekohe.

There are park and rides at all Waikato stations. Find your nearest station here.

You are able to view the patronage report located here [PDF, 1.2 MB].