About Us

Background

TrackSAFE Foundation NZ is a not for profit that raises awareness and educates about safety around tracks and trains. TrackSAFE aims to prevent harm and reduce the number of collisions and near misses between people and vehicles and trains.

Activities

The Trust engages in activities including:

  • Rail safety advertising
  • Publicity and media relations
  • Events and safety campaigns
  • Research and data analysis
  • Advocacy and engagement
  • Promotion of best practice schools' education

History

In 2006, international cricketer Chris Cairns established the Chris Cairns Foundation, a charitable trust aimed at raising public awareness about rail safety. Chris’ teenage sister Louise had been killed in a level crossing collision in 1993, when a cement truck failed to stop at level crossing and collided with the passenger train she was travelling on near Rolleston in Canterbury. After seven successful years of lifting the profile of the issue in New Zealand the Chris Cairns Foundation rebranded to become TrackSAFE NZ. Chris is no longer involved with the day-to-day activities of the Trust but remains a strong supporter of TrackSAFE’s work.

Chris Cairns Foundation

Board of Trustees

John Skilton

Fiona Abbott

Danny Broad

Stacey van der Putten

Anthony McFadden

Martin Kearney

Gini Welch

Tonia Haskell

Sponsorship

TrackSAFE NZ is funded by KiwiRail, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Transdev Wellington, Metlink/Greater Wellington Regional Council, Auckland One Rail, Auckland Transport, John Holland, Stantec and Downer. It also receives support in kind from TrackSAFE Australia and local councils throughout New Zealand.

KiwiRail

KiwiRail logo

A state owned enterprise, KiwiRail operates freight trains and the Great Journeys of New Zealand long-distance passenger trains and Interislander ferries. KiwiRail is is responsible for maintaining 4,000 kms of rail corridor, bridges, tunnels, viaducts, overhead wires, signals and level crossings. It is also responsible for moving all the trains throughout the country through the National Train Control Centre in Wellington. The KiwiRail engineering team provides mechanical services to the freight and passenger businesses, and to Auckland Transport through the freight team. KiwiRail also builds, maintains and refurbishes rollingstock used on the network, including locomotives, wagons and passenger carriages. KiwiRail (and its predecessors) has financially supported TrackSAFE since its inception in 2006.

NZ Transport Agency

NZ Transport Agency logo

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi's role is to improve New Zealand’s land transport system, which includes responsibility for regulating the New Zealand railway. It does this by administering the Railways Act 2005, licensing the organisations that control and use rail networks and monitoring accidents and incidents. The Agency is also responsible for promoting safety on and around New Zealand's rail transport networks. This covers aspects ranging from safe driving behaviours around level crossings to discouraging people from trespassing on tracks. Waka Kotahi has been a sponsor of TrackSAFE NZ since 2014.

Transdev Wellington

Transdev Wellington logo

Transdev is a global private transport group that operates in 20 countries. It is one of the largest private transport operators in the world, with more than 86,000 employees. Transdev Wellington operates the Wellington passenger rail network on behalf of Greater Wellington Regional Council under the Metlink brand. The Wellington rail network consists of 154 kms track and has 49 stations across five lines. There are 83 electric multiple units (EMUs) and 24 diesel passenger carriages which travel over 3.2 million kilometres providing 14 million passenger journeys every year. Transdev Wellington became a sponsor of TrackSAFE NZ in 2017.

Metlink

Metlink logo

Metlink is the Greater Wellington Region Council’s public transport authority which plans and delivers the public bus, train, and harbour ferry transport network to the wider Wellington region, including Wellington City, Hutt Valley, Porirua, Kāpiti Coast and the Wairarapa. The Metlink network has five rail lines, nearly 100 public bus routes, more than 180 school bus services and a harbour ferry service. The regional council looks after the local railway stations, bus and harbour ferry shelters, signage, and Park & Ride facilities. Metlink has been represented on the TrackSAFE Board since March 2016.

Auckland One Rail

Auckland One Rail logo

Auckland One Rail is New Zealand’s largest passenger train operator, proudly operating on behalf of Auckland Transport since January 2022. The Auckland metro network delivers more than 21 million commuter rail journeys per annum. Auckland One Rail is a joint venture partnership between ComfortDelgro Transit and UGL. ComfortDelgro is one of the world’s largest multi-modal passenger transport companies, with operations in seven countries including operating the two mass transit train lines in Singapore, and bus operations across several States in Australia and the United Kingdom. UGL is a consortium partner of Metro Trains Melbourne, Metro Trains Sydney, Canberra light rail and the Adelaide light rail network.

Auckland Transport

Auckland Transport logo

Auckland Transport is a council-controlled organisation (CCO) of Auckland Council, responsible for all of Tāmaki Makaurau’s transport services (excluding State Highways) - from roads and footpaths, to cycling, parking and public transport. Auckland Transport is responsible for the day-to-day activities that keep Auckland's transport systems moving safely and efficiently, such as managing public transport services or organising road maintenance. Auckland Transport also lead the longer-term planning needed to ensure Tāmaki Makaurau’s transport system meets our city’s evolving needs as we grow and develop.

John Holland

John Holland logo

John Holland operates in New Zealand, Australia and South-East Asia, offering services in rail, infrastructure, property development and building. The organisation is a leader in rail project investment, design, construction, operations and maintenance. From humble beginnings 70 years ago, John Holland has been driving positive change in the Asia-Pacific region by finding people-centred solutions to complex challenges and opportunities across a wide range of sectors. Whether it’s safety improvements across the North Island’s rail network, to working on the Wellington Metro Upgrade Programme, or upgrading world-class motorways for Auckland – John Holland is in the business of connecting communities across New Zealand. John Holland became a sponsor of TrackSAFE NZ in March 2020.

Stantec

Stantec logo

Stantec’s presence in Aotearoa’s rail sector is tied to a long involvement with level crossings. The Stantec team was central to the development of the Level Crossing Safety Impact Assessment (LCISA) criteria that KiwiRail uses to measure risk at level crossings. This helps create a fair system where the highest risk crossings are upgraded first. It’s also the transportation industry's primary risk assessment tool for consideration of the risks created by proposed activities near a level crossing. Stantec strives for safer solutions and is proud to be on board as a TrackSAFE sponsor.

Communities are fundamental. Whether around the corner or across the globe, they provide a foundation, a sense of place and of belonging. That's why Stantec always designs with community in mind. Stantec are designers, engineers, scientists, and project managers, innovating together at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships. Balancing these priorities results in projects that advance the quality of life in communities across the globe.

Downer

Downer logo

From major network upgrades to everyday maintenance, Downer is dedicated to fostering a strong safety culture in rail. Downer is proud to sponsor TrackSAFE NZ, supporting initiatives that raise awareness of rail safety and help reduce incidents on and around the rail corridor.

Downer is a leading provider of integrated rail, transport, and infrastructure services across New Zealand and Australia. With a proud history of delivering complex rail projects, Downer’s expertise spans construction, maintenance, renewals, and operations for both freight and passenger networks, connecting communities and supporting New Zealand’s evolving transport needs. Downer’s people are at the heart of its commitment to safety, whether it’s upgrading critical rail infrastructure, maintaining the reliability of the network, or engaging with communities during projects to promote safe behaviours around rail corridors and level crossings.

TrackSAFE Australia

TrackSAFE Australia logo

TrackSAFE in Australia is a registered harm prevention charity that aims to create a better workplace for rail employees by reducing near collisions, injuries and fatalities on the rail network resulting from suicide and reckless behaviour. TrackSAFE recognises that rail safety responsibilities extend beyond rail organisations to educational and community service groups, governments, health organisations, road user groups and the broader community. TrackSAFE forms close working relationships with key stakeholders across a range of organisations to deliver an all-of-industry and cross-industry approach to improving rail safety and minimising harm. TrackSAFE Australia has its own constitution, Board of Directors and funding members with the Chairman of TrackSAFE Australia, Danny Broad, also sitting on the TrackSAFE NZ Board. A memorandum of understanding between both organisations recognises the common interests and commitment to promoting safety and reducing incidents on the rail networks in New Zealand and Australia.

For more about TrackSAFE in Australia, please visit: www.tracksafefoundation.com.au