At 680km, the Northern Explorer is New Zealand’s longest train journey. READ MORE:* Northern Explorer train should be subsidised to compete with flying, Minister says* Where's the Government's creative thinking on tourism? The three long distance KiwiRail trains have been run primarily as a scenic tourist offering in recent years, rather than as a passenger service. Stuff The Northern Explorer train is the last remaining passenger train to travel the length of the North Island's Main Trunk Line. Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter has backed the push, saying the Northern Explorer should be more heavily subsidised in order to complete with flying.

Source: Stuff July 29, 2020 19:18 UTC