Te Huia

Te Huia
Te Huia train travelling through Takanini
Overview
Service typeInter-city
StatusOperating
Locale Waikato (New Zealand), Auckland (New Zealand)
PredecessorWaikato Connection
First service6 April 2021
Current operatorKiwiRail
Ridership64,873 (2025)
Websitetehuiatrain.co.nz
Route
TerminiHamilton
Auckland (Strand)
Stops6
Distance travelled138.37 kilometres (85.98 mi)
Average journey time2 hours, 36 minutes
Service frequencyMonday to Wednesday: Twice-daily return

Thursday and Friday: Thrice-daily return Saturday: Twice-daily return

Sunday: Once-daily return
On-board services
Seating arrangements147
Catering facilitiesYes – a café / bar
Other facilitiesWi-Fi, Bike Storage, and Toilets
Technical
Rolling stockNew Zealand DF class locomotive (1979) and SR, SRC and SRV class carriages
Track gauge3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Route map
0.00 km
Frankton
6.73
Rotokauri (The Base)
31.47
Huntly
86.47
Pukekohe
116.53
Puhinui
138.37
The Strand

Te Huia is a passenger train service connecting the major cities of Hamilton and Auckland in the North Island of New Zealand. The service is a five-year trial with subsidies from the NZ Transport Agency and Waikato local authorities. The opening was delayed because of COVID-19 and the need to replace some rail track. A new starting date was announced, and the service began on 6 April 2021.

As of February 2026, the service is being funded by the NZ Transport Agency and Waikato Regional Council up until 30 June 2027.