Labour's pledge to invest $680 million in a light rail system has rightly been labelled "pork barrel" politics by Steven Joyce.

In an announcement linked to the Mt Roskill by-election, Labour leader Andrew Little yesterday said his party would fast-track light rail between the city and Mt Roskill.

National's Steven Joyce was criticised for 'pork barrel politics' during the Northland by-election. Now he's hitting out at Labour for the same over its $680m Mt Roskill light rail pledge.

Labour is promising to spend $680 million on an early start to light rail in Auckland.

A train has derailed in South Otago this evening, blocking the state highway.

WATCH: The Station building was hauled 400m by crane and truck from a private Lauder property and placed beside the Otago Central Rail Trail.

The Woodville community is coming together for the sake of an old railway station under threat. And Kiwi Rail seems likely to agree. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

The Woodville community is coming together for the sake of an old railway station under threat. And Kiwi Rail seems likely to agree. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

His wife's scream was all that alerted an Auckland driver to an oncoming train.

The good, honest, real deal, fun-time trains on the Main Trunk Line are the way to travel, writes Matt Heath.

Mayoral contenders Phil Goff and Vic Crone both say they will tap private investors to pay for an Auckland light rail system if central government fails to fund it.

KiwiRail has slashed its freight service on the Northland-Auckland line by half, but says the volume of freight transported will essentially

A fault has sparked major disruptions to Auckland's train service this morning.

The report which spurred AT's decision to rule out heavy rail between the city centre and Auckland Airport is "deeply flawed" advocates say.

A public meeting about a recent decision to drop trains as an option for quick and congestion-free transport to the airport is expected

Police have covertly monitored some of the country's most dangerous level rail crossings this week as the number of near misses continues to rise.

A water feature was removed as part of work to upgrade Britomart Transport Centre and develop the City Rail Link.

KiwiRail chief executive Peter Reidy says Auckland's transport network is at "crunch point" with demand from freight and passengers increasingly at odds.

KIwiRail is introducing a charge to maintain private rail crossings, and farmers will be the first to be asked to cough up.

Shuttle buses in operation after track fault disrupts train services.

The Transport Agency says heavy rail to the airport was rejected because it doesn't provide "sound value for money".

An Auckland Council worker has escaped serious injury after his car was struck by a freight train in West Auckland this morning.

Hawke's Bay Regional Council has been asked to ensure that any deal to restore the rail link between Napier and Wairoa retains the goal of extending north to Gisborne.

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.

It's been almost 70 years in the making, but the longest rail tunnel in the world is only days away from opening.

Eurostar rail passenger numbers have fallen as travellers "remain cautious" following the Brussels terror attacks.

Controversy erupted yesterday over research into a new Waitemata Harbour crossing, with public transport advocates claiming it won't include rail.

Commuters are being warned to expect rush-hour delays on Auckland's southern line after a train fault this morning.

Today a new rail safety campaign is being launched in Auckland as more trains are introduced on the Western Line.