History of the Taneatua Branch Line

From 2 September 1928 to 1978 the line was part of the East Coast Main Trunk line from Hamilton. With the opening of the Kaimai tunnel in 1978, the terminus of the East Coast Main Trunk line was changed to Kawerau and the section of line between Hawkens Junction and Taneatua became the Taneatua Branch line.

This line across the Rangitaiki Plains follows an inland or southerly route to avoid areas which were swampy at the time of construction, therefore bypassing Whakatane, the largest town in the area. The intention was for the line to be extended from Taneatua to Opotiki, then onwards east to connect with the isolated 'Gisborne Section' line from Gisborne. Some construction work was carried out beyond Taneatua towards Opotiki in 1928, but this was stopped when the Government of the day transferred the construction workers to the Rotorua-Taupo line which it had just approved the construction of. Various routes were investigated and surveyed to link the difficult section between Taneatua and Moutohora, but all were found to be difficult and expensive. Following the Great Depression, World War 2 and the greater availability of road vehicles in the period after the war, the proposal was subsequently dropped and Taneatua remained the eastern terminus of the railway line in the Bay of Plenty. Gisborne was subsequently linked to the south with Wellington by way of Napier and Palmerston North with the Palmerston North – Gisborne Line in 1942. The isolated Gisborne Section line became the Moutohora Branch line, which closed in 1959.

The line to Taneatua was run as the end section of the East Coast Main Trunk from 1928 to 1978. Freight services continued to be operated on the line until 2001.

A passenger service was provided on the line with the Taneatua Express from Auckland between 1928 and 1959. In 1959 railcars replaced this service, but the new railcar services only operated between Auckland and Te Puke, due to negligible passenger traffic between Te Puke and Taneatua.

The Whakatane Board Mills Line, a private line, was built and operated by the Whakatane Board Mills from Awakeri to their mill in 1939 to serve their large operation. This line was privately operated by the mill until 1999 when the then national rail operator Tranz Rail, took over the operation of the line. Tranz Rail discontinued operating the line in 2001 and the line was closed in 2003, together with the mothballing of the entire Taneatua Branch line.

Awakeri Rail Adventures

Former NZR engine driver Paul Francis, was based at the East Town Locomotive depot. (Wanganui) and spent years driving trains on the Wanganui - Taranaki and main trunk lines."Driving a main line locomotive hauling a large train through the New Zealand country side, was something I really loved and was pretty special" says Paul. He wants to give you the opportunity to drive yourself on rail here in the Eastern Bay of Plenty and see what he means.

Thanks to the hard work of Paul, who with a small group of helpers have spent months clearing blackberry, gorse, fallen trees, toi toi  from the rail line now you are able to drive yourself along a piece of historic railway.

Awakeri Rail Adventures operate small petrol powered, fully self-driven golf carts fitted with rail wheels from Awakeri to Rewatu road and return ( about 10km each way). These rail vehicles will travel at a leisurely 20 kph along part of the former Taneatua branch line with stops along the way so you can take in the scenic trip yourself with friends or family.

Many years ago there was a small station in the Awakeri rail yard (photographs of the original station are here on the web site) Paul has built a replica of that station and its now on site next to the shops at Awakeri as a base for rail operations. There is ample parking on the large grass area in front of the station.

Hundreds of visitors, many from all over the world have enjoyed the experience... 

So join us and "Ride the Rails!”