859 days ago

Poll: Should The Southerner passenger rail service be reinstated?

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

The Southerner passenger train will be resurrected if The Opportunities Party (TOP) wins a seat at the general election, its leader says.

TOP’s transport policy, released on Wednesday, pledges support for a five year trial of The Southerner, the passenger rail service between Christchurch and Invercargill which ended in 2002.

TOP leader and Ilam candidate Raf Manji said the trial would operate between Christchurch and Dunedin, stopping in towns like Timaru and Ashburton along the way.

Depending on demand, it could operate five to seven days a week and do two or three return journeys a day. TOP has estimated the cost at $100 million, based on the costings of the Hamilton to Auckland train service, Te Huia.

What do you think? Should the service be reinstated? Read reporter Sinead Gill's full story here (subscription required) and let us know what you think in the comments below.

Should The Southerner passenger rail service be reinstated?
  • 85.9% Yes
    85.9% Complete
  • 10.7% No
    10.7% Complete
  • 3.4% I'm not sure/something else (tell us in the comments)
    3.4% Complete
609 votes
More messages from your neighbours
8 hours ago

Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🎉 2026 is almost here!

We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?

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Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
  • 8.8% Yes! New Year, New Me
    8.8% Complete
  • 20.6% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
    20.6% Complete
  • 70.6% Nah - not for me
    70.6% Complete
68 votes
7 days ago

Poll: Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🎁 Holiday Gift Chat!

Do you ever regift?
What’s your take on asking for a receipt if a gift doesn’t fit?

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Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?
  • 78.8% Yes! It's better to regift what I don't need
    78.8% Complete
  • 21.2% No. It's the thought and effort that matters
    21.2% Complete
1238 votes
5 days ago

Today’s Mind-Bender is the Last of the Year! Can You Guess It Before Everyone Else? 🌟🎁🌲

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

I dance in the sky with green and gold, a spectacle few are lucky to behold; I’m best seen in the south, a celestial sight—what am I, lighting up the New Zealand night?

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!

Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed? No worries! Simply head here and click once on the Following button.

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