Auckland won't have functioning rail network for 96 days

For 96 days Auckland will be a city without a functioning rail network. The trains will come to a complete standstill so that ageing infrastructure can be upgraded or replaced. It comes ahead of the opening of the long-awaited the City Rail Link. Transport Minister Simeon Brown said the work will have a significant impact on passengers and freight in Auckland, but it's the one last push that's needed to get the CRL over the line. The rail network will be completely closed for a month after Christmas and for 16 days across Easter Weekend plus there are further closures of 2 to 4 days throughout next year until another long shutdown after Christmas 2025 - and scheduled to be complete by January 2026. Businesses spoken to by Checkpoint today were not impressed that they found out about the closures through the media and some fear the disruption will be disastrous for their bottom line. Desley Simpson, the Acting Mayor of Auckland spoke to Susana Lei'ataua.