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Accessing our Network

The rail corridor – the land that the rail tracks run along – is out of bounds to the public to ensure your safety. Trains run on our network 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They are heavy, fast, and take a long time to stop.

If you need to access the rail corridor or carry out certain activities immediately next to it, you must apply to KiwiRail for permission.

This permission may include a Permit to Enter. Please note that notice periods for a Permit to Enter vary depending on the works being undertaken.

Permit to Enter 

In some situations, in addition to a Permit to Enter, you may require a either a Site Safety Permit or Yard Permit when working on KiwiRail sites.

Site Safety or Yard Permit

Your access may require a licenced, approved Rail Protection Officer (RPO) to be present during the work.

For safety reasons, all rail protection is booked and managed by KiwiRail National Protection Team

National Protection Office

Please contact us if you require clarity on any of the following links.  We are happy to offer assistance

Examples where you might require rail access:

  • When working or building something near or on the rail corridor
  • Surveying near or in the rail corridor

(Click Below)

Permit to Enter

  • Installing or maintaining a utility (including cables, pipes, power lines and drains) (Click Below)

Utility Services

  • Enhancing the rail corridor (including by planting vegetation and removing graffiti) (Click Below)

Beautification

  • Moving over-dimensional loads across the rail corridor (House Moving etc.)  (Click Below)

Over-sized loads

  • Creating cycle or walkways near the rail corridor (Click Below)

Shared Pathways

  • Filming or photography near or on the rail corridor (Click Below)

Filming and photography

  • Moving livestock across the rail corridor (Click Below)

Move Livestock

For more information on how to apply for a permit, click here.