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overview
Join industry leaders at New Zealand’s most established rail event. Rail is a force for connection, decarbonisation, and economic strength and this year’s theme reflects the collective commitment to enhancing New Zealand’s rail system with Manawaroa (resilience), Pono (reliability), and Toitū (sustainability).
Across the sector, there is a shared commitment to progress so join us as Aotearoa continues to grow and adapt while forging a network that serves both present needs and future generations.
Conference Themes Include:
- Innovation & Digital Transformation
- Future-Focused Funding
- Customer Excellence
- Project Updates: Reshaping New Zealand’s Rail Landscape
- Sustainability & Resilience
- Freight Operations & Optimisation
- Transforming Metro and Regional services
- Workforce Development
- Operational Excellence
- Collaboration for integrated transport solutions
- Integrated Transport
- Safety Leadership
The 2025 event will focus on how the NZ rail sector can embrace emerging opportunities, address challenges, adopt cutting-edge technologies, and work towards a more sustainable, resilient, and customer-centric future.
Join us for this dynamic and impactful rail event!
CALL FOR PAPERS
Call for Papers Now Open!
We are pleased to announce that we are now accepting expressions of interest from industry experts, innovators, and thought leaders to present at the 14th Annual NZ Rail Conference.
Why Present?
- Showcase your expertise to key industry colleagues
- Drive collaboration and spark new partnerships
- Shape the dialogue on New Zealand’s rail future
- Expand your network with industry leaders and decision-makers
Important Information:
- Submissions should be 200-400 words and contain your full contact details along with a presentation title, theme and main findings.
- Be constructed on evidence-based research, case studies and/or industry or organisational best practice
- Provide clear, actionable and practical solutions, processes or information
- Not have been shown extensively at other conferences or online events
- Abstract Submission Deadline: Friday, 27 June 2025
- Please ensure you have approval to present prior to submitting
Submit your abstract here
For further information, please contact: Kate Twentyman Conference Director [email protected]
Watch a recap of the 2024 event:
2024 Speakers
Hon Simeon Brown
MP for Pakuranga, Minister of Transport, Minister of Local Government, Minister for Energy and Minister for Auckland
Audrey Sonerson
Chief Executive, Ministry of Transport
Nicole Rosie
Chief Executive, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi
Peter Reidy
Chief Executive Officer, KiwiRail
Wayne Brown
Mayor of Auckland
Gini Welch
National Manager Rail Safety Regulation, Te Rōpu Waeture, New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi
Dean Kimpton
Chief Executive, Auckland Transport
Gwyneth MacLeod
Head of Network Strategy and Investment, KiwiRail
Martin Kearney
Chief Executive Officer, Auckland One Rail
Stacey van der Putten
Director Public Transport & Active Modes, Auckland Transport
Chris Joblin
Director, Ruakura Inland Port
Desley Simpson
Deputy Mayor of Auckland
Dave Christie
Supply Chain Strategy Director, Tainui Group Holdings
Dr Cathy Bebelman
Chief Scientist and Head of Science and Sustainability, Auckland Transport
Samantha Gain
Group Manager, Metlink
Associate Professor Gemma Read
Director, Centre for Human Factors and Sociotechnical Systems, University of the Sunshine Coast
Russell McMullan
General Manager Assurance & Integration, City Rail Link Ltd
Dr Jared Thomas
Pou Whakahaere Hangarau - Whanonga Pūtaioa (Technical Principal – Behavioural Sciences), WSP New Zealand
Jerry Shearman
Chief Executive Officer, Central Economic Development Agency (CEDA)
Stephen Brunell
Programme Performance and Controls Director, City Rail Link Ltd
Rob Murdoch
Deputy Chief Executive, NIWA
Daniel Headifen
Chair, RTSA New Zealand
Colm O’Neill
Alliance General Manager, North Western Program Alliance, John Holland
Jon Knight
General Manager Metros, KiwiRail
Paul Cockerton
Lead Advisor, New Zealand Rail Safety Regulator, Te Rōpū Waeture, New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi
Gavin Panter
Chief Operating Officer, Auckland One Rail
Sudha Niles
General Manager Products and Innovation, RISSB
Bobby Fischer
Program Director (Auckland Metro), KiwiRail
Jane Small
Group Manager Strategic Development Programmes and Property, Auckland Transport
Lisa D’Oliveira
General Manager HSQESS, Auckland One Rail
Paul Norman
Rail Construction Safety Case Manager, Link Alliance
Adele Wilson
Chief Customer and Growth Officer, KiwiRail
Will Marson
General Manager, Vadis Geomatics
Nigel Jones
General Manager Supply Chain and Planning, Alliance Group
Gareth Bowen
Export and Logistics Manager, Timberlands
Santiago Aon
Director Global Supply Chain, Fonterra
Ann Tomlinson
Founder, Alium Works & RISSB 2024 Industry Safety Professional of the Year Winner
Doug Johnson
Principal Consultant, Strategic Consulting, Tonkin + Taylor
Mick Spiers
Chief Operating Officer for Rail Infrastructure, Siemens Mobility AUNZ
Rachel Cara
Group Manager, Public Transport Operations, Auckland Transport
Garry Whale
Group Manager Strategic Performance & Property, KiwiRail
Murray Bruges
Director, The Helen Clark Foundation
André Lovatt
Chief Infrastructure Officer, KiwiRail
Anthony McFadden
General Manager, NSW/ACT, QLD & New Zealand, John Holland
Gabriella Solti
Systems Assurance Manager, KiwiRail
Lynne Morton
General Manager Engineering – Infrastructure, KiwiRail
Dr Harm Hauke Ross
Director Mobility Asia Pacific, KfW IPEX-Bank
Paul Kirby
General Manager Regulation and General Counsel, Engineering New Zealand
Jack Bing
Sustainable Value & ESG, KPMG
Lucy Hawcroft
Sustainability Manager (Acting), KiwiRail
exhibitors
Pricing
Acceleration Allies
Informa Rail ‘Acceleration Allies’: #MarchForward at every event
Launched in 2024, ‘Acceleration Allies’ is a program across all Informa Rail events that calls on organisations to commit to gender equality. In 2025, starting with NZ Rail #MarchForward in your commitment to advance the ‘Rights. Equality. Empowerment.’ of ALL and everyone in your organisation.
Organisations achieving 30% or more female representation—across speakers, delegates, sponsors, and attendees—will be acknowledged as ‘Acceleration Allies’.
- Why It Matters: Public recognition as a leader in gender diversity positions your organization at the forefront of industry innovation and inclusivity.
What’s in It for You?
- Exclusive Recognition: Featured acknowledgments as an as ‘Acceleration Ally’.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded industry leaders who prioritise equality and empowerment.
- Positive Brand Visibility: Show stakeholders, clients, and partners your commitment to diversity and inclusion.
How to Get Involved: Simple Steps to Make an Impact
- Step 1: Assess your current representation and identify female colleagues to attend, speak, or participate.
- Step 2: Register your organisation and track your progress towards the 30% goal.
- Step 3: Celebrate your achievement and enjoy the recognition of being an Acceleration Ally at NZ Rail.
#MarchForward
- Elevate the women in your organisation. Champion gender equality, diversity and change.
- Secure your place as an Acceleration Ally today!
Sponsorship & Exhibition Opportunities
The New Zealand Rail conference, exhibition and networking functions offer unparalleled opportunities to reach key industry stakeholders, senior decision-makers and customers from the ANZ region.
Don’t miss the opportunity to share your expertise and showcase your products, services and solutions at this established industry gathering.
Contact Sarah Ingram for a copy of the sponsorship & exhibition prospectus today!
Sarah Ingram
+61 406 530 043
[email protected]
Next Generation Conference Scholarships
New increased eligibility age for 2025!
Do you have an idea that could bring greater awareness to the benefits of the rail industry across NZ?
We are inviting all rail sector personnel aged 30 years and under to submit their innovative ideas on how to promote the NZ rail industry in an impactful way.
In 200-300 words, describe how you would market and promote the benefits of rail for the opportunity to win a scholarship to attend the 2024 New Zealand Rail conference and dinner.
Your idea may take inspiration from or could be applied to any discipline or field within the rail sector such as light rail, passenger rail, metro rail and trains, freight and heavy haul, new technology, customer service and sustainability and decarbonisation.
WINNERS RECEIVED:
- Complimentary attendance to the New Zealand Rail Conference
- Opportunity to network with industry representatives
- Certificates of acknowledgement presented at the conference dinner
- Professional profiles on the dedicated ‘Next Generation Hub’ on the event app
Speaker Insights
How KiwiRail is optimising funding to improve the New Zealand rail network
Read more >>
Unlocking the full potential of rail in New Zealand
Read more >>
Overcoming disruption fatigue on New Zealand transport networks
Read more >>
The key to a more sustainable New Zealand rail sectors
Read more >>
Sponsors Corporate Profile
John Holland is a leading provider of end-to-end rail and transport solutions in Australia and New Zealand. From designing and constructing transport networks to operating them, they’re transforming the way people travel and providing better connections.
Every day, more than one million passenger journeys are taken on John Holland networks. Their long-standing experience in mass transport means they know how to put together the right solution – from start to finish. Focused on the future of transport, they innovate today for the best outcomes tomorrow – from digital engineering and digital asset management, to targeting zero-emission transport modes.
Our expert rail team in New Zealand work collaboratively with our customers to add value beyond the design and construction phase of a project, investing in training and development for local people, and working with the community to create a positive and lasting legacy.
As a leader in intelligent transport solutions for more than 175 years, Siemens Mobility is constantly innovating its portfolio. Its core areas include rolling stock, rail automation and electrification, a comprehensive software portfolio, turnkey systems as well as related services. With digital products and solutions, Siemens Mobility is enabling mobility operators worldwide to make infrastructure intelligent, increase value sustainably over the entire lifecycle, enhance passenger experience and guarantee availability. We have been in Australia & New Zealand for more than 150 years, employs over 600 people from 41 different nationalities with offices in all major capital cities and manufacturing sites in Melbourne and Perth. Siemens aims to be the first major industrial company to achieve a net-zero carbon footprint by 2030 and a partner in Australia’s first carbon neutral rail infrastructure project.
Event Code Of Conduct
We want everyone who comes to our events to have a great experience. This code explains our expectations and rules, which includes general good practice behaviour, and how to report anything witnessed or experienced that goes against them. Read our Event Code of Conduct here.
Sustainability
Our Commitment to Sustainability
In Australia, we are committed to running our events in an environmentally and socially responsible way. Across Informa Connect we are focusing on the short and long-term sustainability impacts we have on customers and colleagues alongside the communities we work in.
We recognise that it’s not just about the way we produce our events and products but recognising that we have a role to play in providing a space to work in partnership together with our markets to inspire the sustainable development of the industries we serve.
To read more on our latest sustainability reports and Faster Forward initiatives – click here.
when & where
contact
Still have a question?
General Information & Registration
Customer Service
+61 2 9080 4307
[email protected]
Sponsorship & Exhibition Opportunities
Sarah Ingram
+61 406 530 043
[email protected]
Speaking Enquiries
Kate Twentyman
Senior Conference Director
[email protected]
Marketing & Media Enquiries
Paul O’Connor
+61 2 9080 4336
[email protected]