Seven states, two days and all that scenery ... Roger Hall takes the train.

Fans from rival ethnic groups are backing their national side for the Euro 2012 playoffs.

KiwiRail, the state-owned railroad, has proposed writing down its assets by $6 billion, halving their current value which is too high given the commercial realities of the business.

Passengers may soon be able to board a luxury Orient Express-style train to travel the length of New Zealand - at a cost of up to $1500 a day.

Prime Minister John Key has poured cold water on Auckland Mayor Len Brown's plans for a $2.4 billion inner-city rail loop.