Our integrated, end-to-end rail & transport capabilities.
We’re in the business of transforming
At John Holland, we find solutions to complex challenges and opportunities across a diverse range of sectors. Our integrated service offering extends from engineering to infrastructure, rail and building, while our depth and breadth of understanding means we can go further in serving the needs of our customers.
But just as important as our capabilities are our values. We think deeply about what we do and how it affects communities. By pushing boundaries and innovating, we gain trust through our actions; whatever the project, we’re in it for the long, long term.
Whether as a single cohesive team, or working with external partners that amplify our offering, we’ve found that delivery models that take a fully integrated approach create the most seamless outcomes for customers.
By nurturing relationships and immersing ourselves in the business of our customers, we build trust and understanding –a solid foundation on which to manage delivery expectations. It’s a tried and tested approach we’ve used extensively in both New Zealand and Australia.
transforming lives.
The closer you are, the better you can connect.
As population increases and urbanisation continues, there are increased demands on rail infrastructure. Enabling the safe, reliable, sustainable and efficient movement of people and goods is vital to ensure communities don’t just grow, but thrive.
Whether it’s getting hospital staff to work on time, or ensuring freshly harvested vegetables make it to port in perfect condition, the success of any rail network is down to the close partnerships that work together to solve the challenges it faces.
As a leading end-to-end rail transport solutions provider, John Holland is at the forefront of partnering with government and the private sector to drive mobility through integrated rail solutions.
Of course, rail itself is only one piece of the puzzle – just as important is the way it operates as part of the communities it runs through. That’s why our preferred approach to rail projects is multidisciplinary, involving both civil and building engineering, while simultaneously considering the ongoing impact of works on live environments and the operations and maintenance of the network infrastructure.
More than giving our rail customers confidence in our delivery, it puts the needs of the people whose lives the rail will touch at the very heart of each project. And just like our attitude to partnerships, the closer you are to these communities, the better the connection you can make.
Benefit from a unique global perspective.
We’re a proud part of CCCI, a wholly owned subsidiary of China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC) – one of the world’s largest infrastructure construction companies. With operations in over 155 countries, inhouse manufacturing capabilities and a market capitalisation of over $32b, CCCC is a valuable global partner. They give our customers the chance to benefit, not just from an advanced technical offering, but from the confidence in financial backing that enables long-term decision making.
An integrated process as seamless as the journeys we create.
A snapshot of our capabilities.
Design & construction
Rail services
A rail operator in our own right, the projects we work on are as diverse as the communities in which they operate. Whether we’re engaged to take on a specific challenge or pain point in an existing project, or invited to share our complete end-toend vision for a project lifecycle, we excel in the fundamental metrics of cost, time, quality and safety.
From the demands of heavy rail construction and maintenance, to the detailed planning of urban light rail, we offer the full range of design, construction, integration logistics, operations and maintenance services, fully integrating them as part of a complete service.
Rail systems delivery & integration
Operations & maintenance
Managing the safe, reliable operation of rail and light rail networks to optimise performance and drive value for all stakeholders.
Using the best technology solutions and innovation to safely deliver valuefor-money projects that minimise impact to the travelling public, promote economic growth, and connect communities.
Concept design
Engineering
Procurement
Construction
Asset management
Our inhouse skills, knowledge, and resources, including specialist machinery and equipment, mean we can deliver key rail service and maintenance disciplines to providing certainty and consistency of delivery across:
Track work
Overhead wiring
Power and electrical
Signalling and communications
Signalling design and testing and commissioning
Rail safety
Managing the complex systems and processes that lead to the safe and successful design, creation and operation of rail engineering solutions.
Design management
Design standards and waivers
Systems assurance
Reliability, availability and maintainability
engineering
Systems engineering
Validation, verification and safety assurance
Management and operation of railway and light rail networks
Development, specification and commissioning of railways
Network control and timetabling
Rail safety accreditation with regulatory agencies
Asset management, maintenance, fleet and depot strategies
Rail franchises and concessions
Accredited rolling stock operator and rail infrastructure manager
Bold thinking, founded in a sense of place.
Modern transport solutions and their accompanying developments go beyond the creation of rail infrastructure. When looking at complete end-to-end journeys, rail will always only be part of the story. That’s why with a focus on the future, we imagine life beyond the tracks, working closely with stakeholders to create solutions that consider rail in the context of a multi-modal solution that truly serves the community.
Our origination capabilities include project development, planning, design and engineering, construction, interface management and commissioning.
We work side by side with network owners and operators to streamline work and customise construction methodologies. By combining our specialist skills, with a focus on technical innovation and comprehensive stakeholder management, from new rail lines and associated infrastructure, to rail duplications, linkages, extensions and grade separations, customers are assured that our work will make a positive difference.
Forming flexible partnerships for integrated solutions.
Because the nature of our work is integrated across a wide range of end to end capabilities, no two projects are ever the same. To help our customers and stakeholders ensure the seamless delivery of projects, we draw on a wide range of partnerships to secure long term funding of our projects.
From private finance led solutions, to franchises, concessions and transport PPPs, these commercial solutions are engineered to align the needs of customers and communities, while creating certainty of delivery.
Rail project investment & origination
Wellington Metro Upgrade Programme Phase 2
Bringing innovative solutions to life.
One of our core values is a focus on the future. We’re constantly creating and delivering innovative, integrated projects that drive efficiency, promote economic growth and improve quality of life for the communities they operate in.
Building on our integrated experience, we’ve strategically evolved our services over time to meet changing customer needs. As a result, today we offer unparalleled innovative and flexible services across our core capabilities of track construction, signalling and communications, overhead wiring and traction power, engineering services, as well as leading expertise in the sensitive, efficient management of brownfield operations.
Delivering a seamless customer experience.
As part of a multi-modal transport solution, the way a railway operates is as crucial to its performance as how it’s designed and built. From the functionality of system components and how they work together as a cohesive, integrated system, to ensuring the compliance of rail with all industry regulations, we engineer approaches that deliver a complete, future-proof solution.
By putting the customer experience at the heart of delivery, we don’t just create a more seamless integration of rail within communities, we give customers the insight they need to make sure it stands the test of time.
Design & construction
Rail systems delivery & integration
Bi-directional working on P2P OLE Works, Auckland
Continuing to deliver for the life of the project.
Our work doesn’t always finish once a project has been successfully and safely delivered. With extensive experience as an operator of rail services, as well as the ability to take on responsibility for ongoing servicing and maintenance, we provide a wealth of opportunities to continue to optimise performance and drive value for all stakeholders, through whole of life investment and maintenance of assets.
Safeguarding
assets for the long term.
Over a period of 50 years, we’ve established an industry leading capability in the management and maintenance of rail assets. We currently operate and maintain a number of transport networks across Australia.
Working closely with customers to understand their objectives, we tailor lifecycle asset management support to meet their needs, helping them deliver on longterm strategies to enhance network safety, availability, reliability and cost efficiency.
Together with our integrated solutions, this wholeof-life approach helps customers maximise the competitiveness and profitability of their assets, while ensuring communities can continue to make best use of the services they depend on for everyday life.
Naturally, technology plays an important role in our work, helping customers benefit from industry-leading asset management and maintenance solutions. From the development of detailed asset management plans for urban and regional networks, to the delivery of complex maintenance services, our technology partners help us provide specialist inspection, data management and analysis, and maintenance engineering support.
We have been supporting KiwiRail with their maintenance and renewal works over the last decade.
Core asset management services:
Design management
Design standards and waivers
Requirements management
Reliability, availability and maintainability engineering
Systems engineering, validation, verification and safety assurance
North Island Communication Enhancement Stage 4
Keeping progress moving.
John Holland has strong capability in overhead wire and rail signalling and is one of the largest teams in New Zealand and Australia.
We have complimentary capability in power systems and electrical, including traction power, substations, power feeders, HV/LV works in addition to rail signalling design and testing in house.
Our Rail Services business delivers projects such as track and civil, overhead wire, rail signalling and communications and power systems and electrical.
Core rail operations services:
Rail franchises and concessions
Management and operation of heavy and light rail networks
Management of signalling, communications and control systems
Revenue and performance risk management
Development, specification and commissioning of railways
Customer service management
Network control and timetabling
Rail safety accreditation with regulatory agencies
Fleet and depot strategies
Accredited rolling stock and rail infrastructure
management
Provision of accredited rail competency training
Provision of overhead wiring and traction power
Connecting communities all over New Zealand.
Making cities more liveable.
John Holland has recently completed one of the largest rail upgrade projects in New Zealand – the Papakura to Pukekohe Electrification Project. This project extends the Auckland Electrified Network in the city’s south, so that commuters can enjoy more reliable and sustainable journeys in modern electric trains.
As part of the Wellington Metro Upgrade Programme - Phase 2, we replaced the overhead line system that supplies power to Metlink’s commuter trains on the Wellington Metro rail network.
Effective, integrated transport solutions are the foundations for successful cities. By combining diverse, integrated skills with a focus on technical innovation and comprehensive stakeholder management, we rise to the challenge of undertaking major works projects in everything from dynamic urban environments, to sensitive conservation areas, while minimising disruption to surrounding communities.
As a result of a carefully planned rail strategy coupled with effective, collaborative delivery, the benefits are far reaching; from helping commuters take back control of their day and enabling mined resources to get to port faster, to ensuring farmers can make the most of the harvesting window.
Here are a few examples of how we’re connecting communities across New Zealand.
A more comfortable journey.
John Holland’s work on the Wellington network included level crossing renewals and the replacement of 48km of traction overhead wire between Redwood and Muri stations as part of the Wellington Traction Overhead Systems Renewal project.
The scope also included the replacement of wooden masts with twin track cantilever and single galvanised steel masts, associated foundation works and installation of underground cable conduits.
Keeping communities safe.
As part of the North Auckland Line Disaster Recovery, John Holland completed embankment rebuilds, track drainage and retaining wall construction in a highly collaborative process. Works will provide a safer, more resilient service for the North Auckland Line.
We take the time to understand what matters most to our customers.
Every project has a specific outcome in mind. Through early engagement with customers and stakeholders, we identify what matters most to them. Inviting them to share their idea of what success looks like not only helps us clearly understand their aspirations, it enables us to explore opportunities to add value. Whether it’s through innovation, efficiency or simply a better way of doing things, we look beyond the blueprints to ensure our work provides the best outcomes for all. Liveability and sustainability will always be strong drivers of our business.
New Zealand Projects
Wiri EMU Depot Stabling Yard Extension
Auckland
Papakura to Pukekohe Electrification Project –Enabling Works and Separable Portion 1
Auckland
Wellington Metro Upgrade Programme - Phase 2
Wellington
Ellerslie Auxiliary Lane and Widening Works
Auckland
CSR Duct Installation Project
Wellington
Otira Tunnel Cleaning Project
Central South Island
Kaimai Tunnel Upgrade
Waikato
Southdown – Rail Freight Terminal Upgrade
Auckland
Wellington Yard Respacing Project
Wellington
Toll Group Level Crossing and Track Upgrades
Pacific Steel Track Improvements
Otahuhu
Remutaka Tunnel Emergency Management
Upgrade
Wellington
Sarawia Street Road Pedestrian Crossing and Level Crossing
Auckland
Ellerslie Auxiliary Lane and Widening Works, Auckland
Creating opportunities for Kiwis every step of the way.
We’re proud of the projects we’ve delivered in New Zealand and the legacy they’ve provided for local communities across the country since we established the offices in 2009. Our first Kiwi project delivery with our local Joint Venture partner – the Ohau to Invercargill rail renewal in the lower South Island – marked the beginning of our journey delivering landmark projects for New Zealand, including the Hunua 4 Watermain, Ellerslie Auxilliary Lane and Widening, North Island Communication Enhancement Stage 4, Wellington Traction Overhead Renewal Project, Wellington Metro Upgrade Programme Phase 2 and Papakura to Pukekohe Rail Electrification Project.
Maintaining a local focus is at the heart of our approach – we joint venture with local companies, employ local people, partner with local subcontractors and maximise our use of local suppliers.
Our local office and full-time Operations and Regional Managers represent our confidence in New Zealand and our long history delivering projects across the country maximising our use of local suppliers.
Through our graduate, undergraduate and new careers in-take programmes, we offer local jobseekers a chance to build confidence and gain valuable industry experience and we will continue to develop and expand our new career programme.
We look for opportunities to strengthen our ties and provide jobs for Māori and Pasifika people on our projects, always aiming to better understand their culture and traditions through our activities.
We are a proud Amotai member and are committed to supporting their moemoeā (vision) to build sustainable wealth for Māori and Pasifika. For example, on the Wiri EMU Depot Stabling Yard Extension project, we engaged 13 Amotairegistered businesses, worth over 18 per cent of total project spend.
Our rail journey.
Remutaka Tunnel Emergency Management Upgrade, Wellington
Wellington Yard Respacing Project, Wellington
Sarawia Street Pedestrian Crossing and Level Crossing, Auckland
Otira Tunnel Cleaning Project, Central South Island North Island Communication Enhancement Stage 4
Pacific Steel Track Improvements, Otahuhu
to
Rail Renewal, Lower South Island
Central Plains Irrigation Scheme - Stage 1, Canterbury
Wellington Traction Overhead Systems Renewal, Wellington
Kaimai Tunnel Upgrade, Waikato
Southdown Rail Freight Terminal Upgrade, Auckland
CSR Duct Installation, Wellington
Toll Group Level Crossing and Track Upgrades
Ellerslie Auxiliary Lane and Widening Works, Auckland
Ohau
Invercargill
Hunua 4 Watermain, Auckland
New Zealand Corporate Head Office opened in Parnell, Auckland
NIMT Tunnel 7 Grout Injection
WMUP2 (Wellington Metro Upgrade Programme Phase 2) Separable Portion 7, Wellington
Rail Services – SFT Testing, Wellington
P2P Early Works, Auckland
WMUP2 (Wellington Metro Upgrade Programme Phase 2), Wellington
Rail Services - Sleeper Redrilling, Wellington
P2P (Papakura to Pukekohe Electrification Project) Pre-Construction Services Agreement, Auckland
NIMT Tunnels 2-6 Resleepering
Greater Wellington E-ticketing Civil Works
Rail Services –Flash Butt Welding, Wellington
WMUP2 (Wellington Metro Upgrade Programme Stage 2) Separable Portion 8, Wellington
P2P OLE Works, Auckland
NIMT Bridge 23 Replacement, Paekakariki
Wiri EMU Depot Stabling Yard Extension, Auckland
North Auckland Line Disaster Recovery
PACE OLE, Wellington
NIMT Tunnel 7 Track Replacement
Modernising transport infrastructure.
Papakura to Pukekohe Rail Electrification Project Wellington Metro Upgrade Programme Stage 2
Funded by the Government’s New Zealand Upgrade Programme, the P2P project extends the existing rail electrification beyond Papakura to Pukekohe. This means people travelling to Pukekohe will no longer need to switch to a diesel service at Papakura and will enjoy faster, quieter and cleaner journeys in modern electric trains. The project also includes station platforms and redevelopment of the existing Pukekohe station.
John Holland and its joint venture partner was formally awarded the contract to commence design works in August 2020 and enabling works in September 2020, which involved site investigations, temporary works and installation of 24.5km of combined services ducts. Separable Portion 1 of main works commenced in October 2021 and was completed in mid 2022, involving balance of enabling works, Pukekohe Station formation and open route formation and drainage works.
John Holland was awarded the OLE package of works in June 2022 and completed in July 2024. The OLE scope included 472 driven steel and concrete foundations and 47km of traction wiring.
The Wellington Metro Upgrade Programme is a coordinated programme of Government and NZ Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) investment packages to upgrade the Wellington commuter rail network which was first built between 1938 and 1960. The Phase 2 works replaced all remaining old traction overhead lines on the Wellington electrified network with a modern auto-tensioned system. This included the Hutt, Melling and Johnsonville Lines, and in rail yards at Wellington and Upper Hutt. The completion of these works included 1,274 timber poles replaced with steel masts, renewal of 38km of overhead wires and created a more reliable service and journey for passengers.
The other works also included Gravity Pad Foundations, Sediment Pond Excavations, and combined services route and three Power Supply Buildings with backup generators and local transformers.
Working with utilities providers, 17.6km of underground ducting, 4.2km of above ground ducting, 22.5km of new 600V signal power supply cable and 3.8km of Vodafone fibre were also installed on the Wairarapa Line.
P2P OLE Works in 2024
OLE Installation at Plimmerton during 2021/22 Christmas Block of Line
People and communities in safe hands.
Confidence in delivery is directly related to safety. Ensuring our people, partners and those whose lives are touched by our work are kept safe throughout the project has always been a cornerstone of our approach. Because wherever their day takes them, everyone has the right to return home safely.
Just as technology and processes evolve, so do our safety standards. We’re committed to the sustained improvement of our safety performance. Underpinned by four pillars – people, systems, leadership and culture, our strategy focuses on embedding safe behaviours across the business.
Discovery is part of the experience.
The ever-changing needs of today’s communities mean there’s a real requirement for ‘smart’ infrastructure and property solutions. These solutions take into consideration factors like resource scarcity, increased social consciousness and access to technology.
It’s why our team’s focus on innovation, engineering and technology is so important. It means we can apply our extensive knowledge and capability to create exceptional outcomes for our customers, while constantly exploring new ways to plan, design and deliver our approach.
Our parent company has accelerated our discovery, enabling us to offer even greater integration and support services that drive value. CCCC is a worldleader in developing advanced engineering and construction technologies, with extensive in-house research and development capabilities. As a result, our customers benefit from fresh thinking brought to life through innovative technologies, design and supply chains that drive greater quality and superior performance.
More than assured delivery – a legacy.
Partnering with us means creating something that goes beyond a successful project outcome. Future-thinking and sustainability principles are deeply embedded in our business, from how we work to the contribution we make to communities.
Our approach includes a commitment to intelligently balance economic, environmental, social and governance outcomes across all projects. This includes protecting the environment, conserving natural resources, avoiding unnecessary waste and applying innovative delivery processes and methodologies where possible.
It’s crucial to the fostering and nurturing of enduring partnerships, while inspiring the support of local communities. Acting on our promises, we drive local industry participation, training and supply chains to deliver lasting social and economic benefits.
Whether it’s environmental or social, our attitude to sustainability builds resilience in communities and our business platform. The proof is in our purpose – to transform lives.
Wellington Metro Upgrade Programme Phase 2 Delivery Team
