Te Huia Commences Service

The first Te Huia service, train 100 led by DFB 7077, ascends the Whangarata Bank in the early morning sun

6 April 2021

At the top of the grade, DFB 7077 makes light work of the 4-car train passing through Whangarata. This is the very first public Te Huia service, and the first run carried a number of media, KiwiRail and council staff

6 April 2021

Ahead of Te Huia, ADL 810 crosses Boundary Road shortly before arriving at Papakura

6 April 2021

After waiting for ADL 810, DFB 7077 leads train 100 across Boundary Road. Despite having to wait for the shuttle service, the train is still slightly ahead of schedule at this point

6 April 2021

DFB 7077 enters Papakura station limits with the first Te Huia service, train 100

6 April 2021

Although the weather didn't come to the party, DFB 7077 still shines as it brings train 100 into Papakura

6 April 2021

After dropping off passengers and finding a slot, DFB 7077 leads the empty train 100 out of Papakura towards Westfield

6 April 2021

At Papakura, Te Huia has been integrated into Auckland Transport's wayfinding signage. The service also appears on AT's online journey planner

6 April 2021

DFB 7295 leads train 102 into Papakura, the second Te Huia service

6 April 2021

At Papakura, passengers disembark and head for the 8:12 serivce on Platform 2

6 April 2021

DFB 7295 stands at Papakura station. The train stood here for some time while media conducted interviews on the platform

6 April 2021

Te Huia staff wait for a signal to depart Papakura

6 April 2021

One of the passengers on the second Te Huia service was Breakfast co-host John Campbell, seen here waiting for the studio before interviewing Russ Rimmington, Chair of the Waikato Regional Council

6 April 2021

Shortly before departing Papakura for Westfield, DFB 7295 sits at Papakura Platform 1

6 April 2021

At Papakura, all four platforms are seen in use shortly before the departure of train 101. ADL 809 waits to run a service to Pukekohe, DFB 7077 waits to run train 101 to Frankton, and two pairs of AM units wait to run services to Britomart

6 April 2021

DFB 7077 pulls out of Papakura with train 101, running the first return Te Huia service back to Hamilton, terminating at Frankton

6 April 2021

DFB 7077 heads out of Papakura with train 101

6 April 2021

In the evening sunlight, DFB 7077 passes through Pokeno. Here, the train has just passed the site of the old station, and a future station for Te Huia to serve the rapidly growing town is on the cards

6 April 2021

SRV 5893 brings up the rear of the train as DFB 7077 leads the service underneath the Waikato Expressway at Pokeno

6 April 2021

Racing along at near top speed, DFB 7077 skirts alongside the Waikato Expressway through Ohinewai

6 April 2021

Catching the fading sunlight, the train paces road traffic through Ohinewai

6 April 2021

Heading through Ngaruawahia, train 101 crosses Kainui Road a few minutes from the next stop

6 April 2021

DFB 7077 brings train 101 through Ngaruawahia en route to Frankton

6 April 2021

At Frankton station, passengers head home while DFB 7077 waits to return to Te Rapa

6 April 2021