Level crossings in New Zealand

[6] In the early 20th century, warning devices were introduced on trial; wig-wams or flag indicators with bells or gongs (about 38 installed).

[7] In 1907 a witness to a suburban crossing accident in Kingsland, Auckland described the whistle warning from the engine as too short and not loud enough.

[7] In 1924 a motorcyclist in Christchurch was fined for ignoring a crossing-keeper when a shunting engine was approaching the crossing.

[9] In 1955 the Minister of Railways John McAlpine intervened to have barriers installed at a busy Riccarton crossing in Christchurch.

In 2018 KiwiRail decided to cease turning off some warning bells between 10.30 pm and 7 am because of the number of "near misses" with pedestrians.

[13] In 2019, KiwiRail changed the rate of flashing lights at level crossings from 85 fpm (flashes per minute) to the standard laid down by the "American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association" of 50 fpm so that a new order for level crossing equipment did not have non-standard requirements.

[16] In 2023, Kiwirail said that ten people had died due to train collisions in the last year, with 80% being in level crossing.

[17] A KiwiRail proposal to close five level crossings in the Wairarapa regarded as hazardous aroused mass local opposition.

[18] At a Wairarapa level crossing where a woman was seriously injured, police ticketed sixteen drivers in one day!

[19] Objections were also raised in 2024 to KiwiRail's estimated cost of keeping a Masterton crossing open.