In November 2020 KiwiRail produced a paper titled 'Briefing to Incoming Ministers'. A similar paper is produced each time a new government is sworn in, setting out how KiwiRail management and board of directors see their current business situation and plans for the future. The paper gives a valuable insight into what can be expected from the national rail operator. Like all SOEs, the principal objective of KiwiRail is to operate a successful business and to be as profitable and efficient as comparable businesses not owned by the Crown. The financial challenges experienced by KiwiRail highlighted an anomaly inherent in its dual nature. On one hand, it's an SOE whose goal is to operate as a profitable, commercial enterprise. On the other hand, KiwiRail is responsible for managing and maintaining all infrastructure within the national rail network. This means it also delivers an important public benefit yet there were significant funding differences compared with roads.
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