30/03/2026
Taranaki Connect launched by Symons Group and KiwiRail
Symons Group is partnering with KiwiRail to launch Taranaki Connect, a new regional freight hub designed to make it easier and more cost-effective for Taranaki businesses to move freight via rail, in and out of the province.
Local exporters and importers have been carrying additional freight costs for years.
“Containers often arrive in the region full and leave empty or arrive empty and must be repositioned elsewhere before they can be used. These inefficient ‘ghost movements’ add unnecessary cost to supply chains and place Taranaki businesses at a disadvantage compared to those based in larger centres such as Auckland, Tauranga, or Wellington.”
Taranaki Connect has been developed to address this long-standing challenge, starting with a local container exchange model that better matches import and export flows, reduces empty container repositioning, and keeps freight equipment working within the region.
“We knew there had to be a smarter way to move freight. Partnering with KiwiRail has allowed us to build a solution that delivers real, measurable benefits for local businesses.”
Taranaki Connect will offer regular weekday rail services, with both full container load (FCL) and less-than-container load (LCL) consolidation options available. KiwiRail will operate the service from its local container terminal, with Symons providing the critical road transport links to and from the terminal.
While road transport remains central to Symons’ operations, Eggers says the company is focused on supporting freight solutions that improve overall efficiency across the supply chain.
“Rail is a highly efficient option for moving large volumes over longer distances. When it makes sense to use rail, it reduces pressure on roads, cuts duplication, and lowers emissions across the total freight journey.”
Shifting freight by rail can result in significant carbon emission reductions, with rail producing on average around 60% fewer emissions than moving the same volume by road.
KiwiRail Executive General Manager Freight Markets, Alan Piper's says the use of rail also adds resilience to the regional supply chain.
A wide range of container sizes and types will be available through Taranaki Connect, including 20’, 25’, and 40’ hard-side and curtain-side containers. Customers can choose between one-way and return hire options, with the added convenience of dehire at destination.
Eggers says the launch of Taranaki Connect represents a practical, region-focused solution that supports economic resilience, efficiency, and long-term growth for Taranaki.
Businesses interested in learning more about what Symons Group and KiwiRail are working to achieve for the region are invited to attend a Taranaki Connect industry event on 14 May, where the partnership and future opportunities for regional freight will be discussed.
