Ken Crispin is, of course, entitled to his opinion. However, his claim that KiwiRail's process for seeking expressions of interest in using the Wairoa-Gisborne line was secretive does not stand up to scrutiny.
To encourage people to register any expressions of interest on the Government Electronic Tenders Service, and to ensure the public was aware of what was going on, KiwiRail supplied local newspapers, including Hawke's Bay Today, with a media release that provided background and information on lodging an expression of interest. It was up to the news organisations whether they used that release. If they chose not to, that is not evidence of a secretive approach by KiwiRail.
Mr Crispin is also critical of KiwiRail for not answering questions his group asked on December 13. Mr Crispin failed to point out in his article that this was after December 7, the cut-off date for questions. This date is clearly identified in the EOI process document on the tenders service website. To ensure the process is fair to all prospective tenderers, KiwiRail could not give Mr Crispin and his group favoured treatment by ignoring the deadline just for them.
It's important to KiwiRail that we find the right fit for this section of the line. Expressions of interest can be lodged up until 2pm next Wednesday. The EOI is under reference number 18187316 on GETs. This is a single tender and does not come in two parts.
David Gordon is KiwiRail's group general manager of asset management and investment
