Stop the Train
In 2005, the Overlander train (which runs between Auckland and Wellington) did the residents of Taihape a disservice: their stop was axed. Locals were not happy but all their protests fell on deaf ears.
Four years later an online glitch enabled David Robinson to book an Auckland to Taihape journey. Gaining a return leg online proved impossible so he called KiwiRail who confirmed his first journey should not have been booked but they'd honour it and stop in Taihape - just this once.
Word got out that the train would be making a one-off stop in Taihape and locals decided to take the opportunity to make their point, once again, that they'd like the stop to be a permanent fixture. The Community Board and other leaders arranged for a large contingent to greet the train when it arrived with David on board that day. They clapped and cheered as the engine pulled into the station and David disembarked. News the train had stopped in Taihape for the first time in four years spread like wildfire.
That excitement ignited a renewed determination to get the Taihape stop reinstated. The Taihape Community Board launched a petition. The media began to run stories on the campaign and the story soon appeared on TV3's Campbell Live programme.
The coverage generated more attention for the petition and soon more than a thousand people (more than half the town's population) had signed it.
The Taihape Community Board organised a meeting, along with other representatives from the town, to present the petition to Transport Minister Simon Power. The Minister agreed to do what he could to help and the lines of communication were well and truly opened with KiwiRail.
Discussions began again with KiwiRail and soon it was announced that the Overlander would once again be stopping in Taihape on its north and southbound routes, on a trial basis.
Taihape has embraced the return of the train. Each day its stops bring a buzz of people, income has increased for businesses and Auckland and Wellington (and the other destinations in between) are far more easily accessible.
By listening to locals, the Taihape Community Board saw an issue and with careful campaigning they achieved what others had failed to - and all for very little cost.
Download the Taihape Community Board's Best Practice Award entry here. (pdf)
Pictured above: Taihape celebrates the return of its train stop. From left, David Robinson (the first passenger), Rangitikei Mayor Chalky Leary, Elizabeth Mortland of the Taihape Community Development Trust and Taihape Community Board chair Richard Aslett.
