Rail network is now the most punctual it's every been despite adding 2.9 million trips since electrification.

John Key announces his policy that will require councils to open up new land to housing and a street has been cordoned off in South Auckland after the death of a child in a property there.

Work begins on the 2.5 billion dollar Auckland City Rail Link - we talk to Len Brown about what it means and an insiders view on the Johnny Depp / Amber Heard break up.

The soaring prison population has led to an over spend of 45 million dollars on jails in the last 12 months and new technology could help reduce the number of bobby calves being killed. Also a Kiwi takes America’s got talent by storm.

Tomorrow ground will be broken on the biggest construction project New Zealand has ever seen.

Trainspotter Ryan Allen waited ten years to see the Flying Scotsman but this wasn't the view he wanted.

If only the fast lane of this stupid motorway was simply removed and replaced with a train that had wifi? I could have got useful work done and arrived far quicker, writes Sam Judd.

The Prime Minister's reading of the politics of the issue is an implicit tribute to the effort of the departing mayor, Len Brown, as it was three years ago.

For a city striving to be "world class", forcing the inter-city rail service out of Britomart to a jerry-built shipping container "kiosk", 1.4km away in the old shunting yards, is bizarre, writes Brian Rudman.

Main work on the $2.5 billion city rail link is due to start in May next year, beginning with a new entrance for commuters at the rear of Britomart train station.

Britomart users may soon have to jostle their way through crowded platforms to get on to backed-up rush-hour trains.

Political parties are tailoring all manner of policies for Auckland, or more precisely at 1,030,125 enrolled Jafas, to win their vote.

It feels like riding some sort of subterranean paddle steamer on a voyage back from the centre of the Earth.

KiwiRail officials, police and Maori wardens overlooked a level rail crossing at Walters Rd in Auckland in a sting to slow drivers, as officials are promoting Rail Safety Week across the country.

Hefty patronage growth on Auckland trains is making the city's transport authority bullish about meeting the Government's conditions for an early star.

Auckland Transport is considering forming a special police force to improve safety on trains.

Speed controls on Auckland's new electric trains are overriding their drivers to make them slower than the diesel clunkers they are replacing for $520 million.

Auckland's Mayor explains: Even with the improvements in speed, capacity and service that electric trains will bring, Auckland faces the threat of crippling traffic congestion.

Auckland's gleaming new electric trains launched into business at 5.48am today - and quickly experienced delays.

Forty of the state-owned company's locomotives were taken out of action following the discovery of the potentially deadly material in a soundproofing compound inside one of the vehicles.

Cost-cutting exercises by KiwiRail could end up costing workers their lives if tests on Chinese-made trains show positive results for asbestos.

As part of his platform for last year's local body elections, Mayor Len Brown said he would push for a 2016 start to Auckland's $2.86b city rail link. However, his ability to gain an early start to the rail link has been much reduced.

It was hard to believe we were whooshing through South Auckland at 112km/h between high-speed braking trials on the first electric train, writes Mathew Dearnaley.

Ninety years after Auckland's leaders began hankering after electric trains in 1923, the city is poised to join the world of modern rail transport.

The City Rail Link (CRL) is the key project in an integrated transport programme to keep Auckland moving as the city grows by more than 700,000 people during the next 30 years. courtesy Auckland Transport.

Auckland's first electric train is transported from the Ports of Auckland to its new home at Wiri Depot in the early hours of Monday 26th August. The new trains will be faster, quieter and more energy efficient, making rail travel an attractive option for the city's residents and visitors. For more information: http://www.aucklandtransport.govt.nz/improving-transport/auckland-rail-upgrade/electric-trains

A proposed tunnel was rejected yesterday by the Conservation Minister - but that doesn't guarantee the thumbs down for a 41km monorail.

Rail supporters say transport chiefs are being short-sighted in wanting to close a station next to where hundreds of new homes are planned for South Auckland.