Freight is identified within TRIP as one of the growth drivers within the region. Other drivers identified that have a significant freight or heavy vehicle component are business growth, the international airport, ports and one operation in particular being Fonterra's Clandeboye dairy factory site.
TRIP notes that few rail related projects are proposed as a consequence of uncertainty around rail funding and identifies it as a national issue. Rail focus is therefore on bulk Increased capacity for coal cartage is noted, along with a project in the National Rail Strategy to build a Clandeboye branch line