Rachel MaherMultimedia Journalist·NZ Herald·9 Jul, 2026 03:22 AM3 mins to read‌After a $2 billion cost blowout, Herald NOW reporter Katie Oliver checks out a new City Rail Link station during rehearsals. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAYFirefighters, police and ambulance crews have simulated train fires, tunnel emergencies, derailments and explosions as part of final emergency testing before Auckland’s City Rail Link opens.

The exercises come as the rail network closes again this weekend for what authorities say will be the last full-network shutdown before the