The Maori Party announced its new IwiRail policy which would look to take over KiwiRail lines and develop new rail connections to open up freight and tourism opportunities across the regions. Photo: GettyPartnerships between iwi and Government to develop a strong network of regional rail connections could generate thousands of jobs and billions of dollars, the Maori Party says. Ms Fox said iwi in Nelson have expressed an interest in being part of an IwiRail programme down the track. The Taxpayers’ Union accused the Maori Party of ‘‘populist economic sabotage’’. ‘‘Investing this much in New Zealand’s most uneconomic rail lines is a short-term make-work scheme at an eye-watering cost to taxpayers.’’

Source: Otago Daily Times July 12, 2017 20:26 UTC