User:LJ Holden/sandbox

The Crown
The Treaty was signed by representatives of the British Crown, which is now the Crown in Right of New Zealand.

The Treaty identifies the Crown's right to kawanatanga, or "governorship", leading one Māori academic to argue that kawanatanga, or Her Majesty's Government in New Zealand, is party to the treaty.

Tranz Scenic was originally the long-distance passenger services division of Tranz Rail, later becoming a standalone entity under the legal name Tranz Scenic (2001) Limited. Tranz Rail sold a 50% share of Tranz Scenic in 2001 to the two directors of the Victoria, Australia rail passenger operator West Coast Railway, with the intention to sell the remaining 50%. At the same time, the new company decided not to purchase a number of loss-making services which were discontinued. In 2004, Tranz Rail was itself acquired by Toll Holdings, which purchased back the 50% share of Tranz Scenic. Tranz Scenic remained a division of Toll Rail, being renamed in 2008 KiwiRail scenic, and is now known as The Great Journeys of New Zealand.

Former trains
In 2004, Tranz Scenic withdrew the Northerner overnight AucklandWellington service, citing poor patronage. This was the last overnight service in New Zealand. Tranz Scenic also reduced the number of stations served by The Overlander service on the North Island Main Trunk.

In April 2006, Toll NZ announced that it was proposing to sell its two South Island trains, the TranzAlpine and the TranzCoastal. In July the end of The Overlander service was announced, but after significant protest and an increase in patronage (due to the publicity) the service continued, operating on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during winter and daily in high summer. In 2009 a resumption of seven-day-a-week operation was announced, a result of increasing passenger numbers. However, the Overlander ceased operations in 2012, being superseded by the Northern Explorer service, again on limited days of the week.

Withdrawn 1995

 * The Lynx Express: Picton—Christchurch

Withdrawn 2001

 * The Bay Express: Wellington—Napier
 * The Geyserland: Auckland—Rotorua
 * The Kaimai Express: Auckland—Tauranga
 * The Waikato Connection: Hamilton—Auckland

Withdrawn 2002

 * The Southerner: Christchurch—Dunedin—Invercargill

Withdrawn 2004

 * The Northerner: AucklandWellington overnight

Withdrawn 2012

 * The Overlander: AucklandWellington daily; replaced by the Northern Explorer running alternate days.