Under the new planning and funding framework for rail, the National Land Transport Fund (NLTF) will fund the Rail Network Investment Programme (RNIP) which is a key mechanism for delivering on the Rail Plan. KiwiRail has prepared the first RNIP under the new framework. This has a 10-year forecast and sets out the proposed rail investment for the next three years, aligning with the NLTP funding cycle.

The Minister of Transport is responsible for approving the RNIP. The role of Waka Kotahi is to provide assurance to the Minister that it will deliver value for money in achieving the intent of the Rail Plan, and the Government’s long-term vision for a more resilient, reliable and safer rail network.

The RNIP will be funded through both the Rail Network and Public Transport Infrastructure activity classes.

Auckland Transport and Greater Wellington Regional Council projects approved for funding under the Transitional Rail activity class in the 2018–21 NLTP are now funded from the new Public Transport Infrastructure activity class for the 2021–24 NLTP.