NZ First is promising a 12-month Canterbury commuter rail trial and the return of the Southerner passenger service linking Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill.
Leader Winston Peters outlined the plans at Christchurch’s James Hay Theatre on Sunday, telling a standing-room-only meeting that reportedly had more than 1000 people in attendance.
He said the trains could carry passengers from Rolleston into central Christchurch in about 20 minutes, with services from Rangiora also proposed. Passenger demand would help determine whether commuter trains became permanent.
“We are proposing to put the trains on and find out,” Peters said.
Peters also restated his pledge to return BNZ to New Zealand ownership and promised stronger Commerce Commission powers to tackle supermarkets.
He ruled out working with Opportunity, opposed lowering the voting age and said teachers unwilling to follow a curriculum stripped of what he called “Leftist indoctrination” could find another job.
During questions, Peters said politicians and bureaucrats who ignored medical advice about young people and Covid vaccination should be imprisoned. He also backed completing Christchurch Cathedral.
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Ah Winston if only I still believed NZF would in fact act on what you outline…..oh well………
Because the candy man can😁