New Zealand

More than 1,300 people will be out on the tracks in Auckland and Wellington over the Christmas break, making progress on rail improvement projects and undertaking essential maintenance.

KiwiRail has signed a supply contract with French multinational Alstom for what railroad officials called a “once-in-a-generation upgrade” to its Train Control System (TCS).

Authorities said they responded to a call near MacKay’s Crossing at Whareroa Road in Paekakariki shortly before 10 a.m. local time.