Waharoa Matamata Hinuera Okoroire Tīrau / Oxford Taumangi Putāruru (for Rotorua Branch)

The government saw that the line had greater potential and in September 1946 acquired the 29 km (18 mi) section between Putāruru and Kinleith.

The section of line reopened on 9 June 1947 under the control of the Public Works Department, using geared steam locomotives purchased from the TTT Co.

The Public Works Department eventually rebuilt the line with heavier rail, some of it brought from Taranaki after opening of the Turakina deviation,[5] wider curves and slighter grades, reaching Tokoroa in 1949 and Kinleith in 1952.

[9] Tokoroa Road Rail Terminal opened in 2015 and handled an average of about 11 containers a day in its first 6 months.