New Zealand Rail

New Zealand Rail

The 15th Annual New Zealand Rail Conference takes place on 2 and 3 December 2026 at the Aotea Centre, Auckland CBD, New Zealand. Organised by Informa Markets, the event is an established gathering for rail industry professionals across Aotearoa/New Zealand, bringing together senior figures from government, infrastructure bodies, operators and the broader transport sector.

About the Event

The conference centres on the theme of Manawaroa, Pono and Toitū, meaning resilience, reliability and sustainability, reflecting the priorities shaping New Zealand’s rail sector. The event provides a forum for discussion on the strategic, operational and technical challenges facing the industry, as well as the opportunities presented by emerging technologies and major infrastructure programmes.

Key Topics

Sessions across the two days are expected to address a range of subjects relevant to the current state and future direction of New Zealand’s rail network. These include the City Rail Link integration and its implications for Auckland’s transport system, freight operations and optimisation, network resilience and signalling advancements, safety leadership, and the role of rail in meeting national decarbonisation goals. Further topics cover land transport regulation, infrastructure planning across generations, digital transformation and innovation, and the professional development of the rail workforce.

Audience

The conference draws delegates from across the rail and broader transport sector, including representatives from central and local government, infrastructure agencies, rail operators, engineering and planning consultancies, logistics providers and technology suppliers. It serves as a primary networking and knowledge-sharing event for professionals engaged in shaping New Zealand’s rail system.

Call for Papers

Expressions of interest are being accepted from industry experts, researchers and practitioners wishing to present at the 2026 event. Submissions of between 200 and 400 words are invited, covering a presentation title, theme and key findings. Abstracts should be grounded in evidence-based research, case studies or industry best practice, and should offer clear, practical insights. The submission deadline is Friday 27 June 2025. Enquiries can be directed to Conference Director Kate Twentyman at [email protected].

Further information, including registration details, is available via the New Zealand Rail Conference event website.