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Array
(
    [entityType] => ITEM
    [entity] => Array
        (
            [contextId] => aims
            [description] => Array
                (
                    [0] => This agency was created by Archives New Zealand to describe the records it holds relating to New Zealand railway services. Records prior to 1876 were created when Government railways were administered by the various provincial governments (?1871-1876). Subsequent records were created by the Public Works Department (1876-1880), the New Zealand Government Railways Department (1880-1981), the Government Railways Board (1931-1936), the New Zealand Railways Commission (1953-1957) and the New Zealand Railways Corporation (1981-1990).
                )

            [id] => ADQD
            [idSort] => ADQD
            [name] => New Zealand Railways
            [custom] => Array
                (
                    [custom1] => This agency description was compiled as part of a project to capture the finding aids created prior to 1987 into the GAIMS system.  Agency start and end dates are derived from the dates of holdings.
                    [custom2] => 
Leitch, David B, 'Railways of New Zealand', David & Charles (Publishers) Limited, Newton Abbot, Devon, United Kingdom, 1972 
'The Development of New Zealand's Railway System 1863 - 1963', prepared by the Publicity and Advertising Branch of the New Zealand Government Railways Department, reprinted from New Zealand Official Yearbook 1963 '
A Record of Progress,' prepared by the Railways Publicity Branch, Government Printer, Wellington, New Zealand, 1937 
'An Introduction to New Zealand Railways', General Manager's Office & Publicity and Advertising Branch, New Zealand Railways, 1982
Appendices to the Journals of the House of Representatives 1932 vol. 2 D2; 1954 vol. 2 D2 and 1957 vol. 3 D2
                )

            [identifier] => Array
                (
                    [priref] => Array
                        (
                            [0] => 1991
                        )

                )

            [agentControlRelation] => Array
                (
                    [0] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Realm of New Zealand
                            [type] => controlled_by
                            [hasBeginningDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1947-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => exact
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [hasEndDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1985-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [itemType] => Organisation
                            [relationHasSource] => A0020
                        )

                    [1] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Dominion of New Zealand
                            [type] => controlled_by
                            [hasBeginningDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1907-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => exact
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [hasEndDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1947-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => exact
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [itemType] => Organisation
                            [relationHasSource] => A0009
                        )

                    [2] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Self-Governing Colony of New Zealand
                            [type] => controlled_by
                            [hasBeginningDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1871-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [hasEndDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1907-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => exact
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [itemType] => Organisation
                            [relationHasSource] => A0005
                        )

                )

            [agentHierarchicalRelation] => Array
                (
                    [0] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => New Zealand Railways District Office - Wanganui
                            [type] => controlled_by
                            [hasBeginningDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1907-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [hasEndDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1969-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [itemType] => Agency
                            [relationHasSource] => ADRN
                        )

                    [1] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => New Zealand Railways District Office - Wellington
                            [type] => controlled_by
                            [hasBeginningDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1883-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [hasEndDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1984-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [itemType] => Agency
                            [relationHasSource] => ADRM
                        )

                )

            [agentType] => Record group
            [authorityRelation] => Array
                (
                    [0] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Government Railways Board minute books
                            [type] => controlling
                            [hasBeginningDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1931-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => exact
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [hasEndDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => unknown
                                        )

                                )

                            [itemType] => Series
                            [relationHasTarget] => 22562
                        )

                    [1] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Electric Traction Section, registered files
                            [type] => controlling
                            [hasBeginningDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1924-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [hasEndDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1948-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [itemType] => Series
                            [relationHasTarget] => 17673
                        )

                    [2] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Reports, statistics and submissions to Commissions of Inquiry
                            [type] => controlling
                            [hasBeginningDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1892-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [hasEndDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1970-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [itemType] => Series
                            [relationHasTarget] => 17665
                        )

                    [3] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Instructions, form indices and operating statistics
                            [type] => controlling
                            [hasBeginningDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1899-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [hasEndDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1980-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [itemType] => Series
                            [relationHasTarget] => 17662
                        )

                    [4] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Posters
                            [type] => controlling
                            [hasBeginningDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1891-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [hasEndDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1940-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [itemType] => Series
                            [relationHasTarget] => 17620
                        )

                    [5] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Office papers
                            [type] => controlling
                            [hasBeginningDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1899-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [hasEndDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1985-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [itemType] => Series
                            [relationHasTarget] => 17567
                        )

                    [6] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Chief Mechanical Engineer's Office, various technical papers
                            [type] => controlling
                            [hasBeginningDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1873-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [hasEndDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1932-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [itemType] => Series
                            [relationHasTarget] => 17562
                        )

                    [7] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Railways registers
                            [type] => controlling
                            [hasBeginningDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1887-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [hasEndDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1968-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [itemType] => Series
                            [relationHasTarget] => 17560
                        )

                    [8] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Manuals of New Zealand Railways
                            [type] => controlling
                            [hasBeginningDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1883-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [hasEndDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1976-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [itemType] => Series
                            [relationHasTarget] => 17559
                        )

                    [9] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => General Manager's Office general file registers
                            [type] => controlling
                            [hasBeginningDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1874-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [hasEndDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1898-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [itemType] => Series
                            [relationHasTarget] => 17558
                        )

                    [10] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => General Manager's Office index book
                            [type] => controlling
                            [hasBeginningDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1879-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [hasEndDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1880-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [itemType] => Series
                            [relationHasTarget] => 17555
                        )

                    [11] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Overseas publications, reports etc., concerned with railways
                            [type] => controlling
                            [hasBeginningDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1939-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [hasEndDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1939-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [itemType] => Series
                            [relationHasTarget] => 17549
                        )

                    [12] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Publications and reports - New Zealand Railways
                            [type] => controlling
                            [hasBeginningDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1893-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [hasEndDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1970-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [itemType] => Series
                            [relationHasTarget] => 17546
                        )

                    [13] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Chief Civil Engineer's Office registered files
                            [type] => controlling
                            [hasBeginningDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1882-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [hasEndDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1979-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [itemType] => Series
                            [relationHasTarget] => 17542
                        )

                    [14] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Publicity and Advertising Branch - Advertising Section registered files
                            [type] => controlling
                            [hasBeginningDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1915-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [hasEndDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1973-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [itemType] => Series
                            [relationHasTarget] => 17539
                        )

                    [15] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Publicity and Advertising Branch registered files
                            [type] => controlling
                            [hasBeginningDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1923-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [hasEndDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1985-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [itemType] => Series
                            [relationHasTarget] => 17538
                        )

                    [16] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Finance and Accounts registered files
                            [type] => controlling
                            [hasBeginningDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1886-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [hasEndDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1979-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [itemType] => Series
                            [relationHasTarget] => 17530
                        )

                    [17] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Director of Stores registered files
                            [type] => controlling
                            [hasBeginningDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1929-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [hasEndDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1978-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [itemType] => Series
                            [relationHasTarget] => 17516
                        )

                    [18] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Chief Mechanical Engineer's Office registered files
                            [type] => controlling
                            [hasBeginningDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1931-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [hasEndDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1981-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [itemType] => Series
                            [relationHasTarget] => 17507
                        )

                    [19] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Road Services registered files
                            [type] => controlling
                            [hasBeginningDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1930-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [hasEndDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1981-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [itemType] => Series
                            [relationHasTarget] => 17480
                        )

                    [20] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Unregistered papers - Service schedules (H6A's)
                            [type] => controlling
                            [hasBeginningDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1920-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [hasEndDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => unknown
                                        )

                                )

                            [itemType] => Series
                            [relationHasTarget] => 17476
                        )

                    [21] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Chief Mechanical Engineer's Office registered files
                            [type] => controlling
                            [hasBeginningDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1919-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [hasEndDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1975-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [itemType] => Series
                            [relationHasTarget] => 17469
                        )

                    [22] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Head Office, Transport Licensing Division registered files
                            [type] => controlling
                            [hasBeginningDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => unknown
                                        )

                                )

                            [hasEndDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => unknown
                                        )

                                )

                            [itemType] => Series
                            [relationHasTarget] => 17468
                        )

                    [23] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => General Manager's Office registered files - Staff
                            [type] => controlling
                            [hasBeginningDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1890-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [hasEndDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1982-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [itemType] => Series
                            [relationHasTarget] => 17467
                        )

                    [24] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => General Manager's Office multiple number subject files
                            [type] => controlling
                            [hasBeginningDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1932-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [hasEndDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1985-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [itemType] => Series
                            [relationHasTarget] => 17462
                        )

                    [25] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => General Manager's Office registered files
                            [type] => controlling
                            [hasBeginningDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1871-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [hasEndDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1983-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [itemType] => Series
                            [relationHasTarget] => 17447
                        )

                    [26] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => General Manager's Office registered files
                            [type] => controlling
                            [hasBeginningDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1874-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [hasEndDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1983-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [itemType] => Series
                            [relationHasTarget] => 17422
                        )

                    [27] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Miscellaneous papers
                            [type] => controlling
                            [hasBeginningDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1890-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [hasEndDate] => Array
                                (
                                    [normalizedValue] => 1978-01-01T00:00:00.0Z
                                    [dateQualifier] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => approximate
                                            [1] => yearOnly
                                        )

                                )

                            [itemType] => Series
                            [relationHasTarget] => 17421
                        )

                    [28] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Ian Douglas Stevenson Public Service Papers
                            [type] => otherwise
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            [history] => 
The development of the New Zealand railway network began in the 1860s.  During this period provincial governments took primary responsibility for the construction and administration of railway lines in New Zealand.  The involvement of central government during the 1860s was generally limited to approving or authorising the decisions of provincial governments.  The first act of central government relating to the development of the rail network was the Lyttelton and Christchurch Railway Act 1860, authorising the Canterbury Provincial Council to enter into a contract for the construction of a railway between the port and the city. 
Some railway lines, such as the Lyttelton-Christchurch line, were constructed under contract and owned by the Provincial Council.  Incorporated companies constructed others, such as the Dunedin-Port Chalmers line.  The Dunedin-Port Chalmers line was one of several such privately owned railways, which were subsequently purchased by the Crown.
Central government took a greater role in the development of New Zealand’s rail system from the 1870s.  Concerns were developing over the varying standards of railway construction and operation tolerated by different provinces.  In particular, there was concern that the use of different gauges of line in different areas would prevent the connection of the various regional and local lines into a national rail network.  Canterbury, for instance, constructed lines with a broad 5ft 3in gauge, while other provinces constructed lines in 3ft 6in, 4ft 8½in, or 5ft 6in gauge.   The Railways Act 1870 provided for a national 3ft 6in gauge, although an exemption was made for Canterbury who retained a broad gauge until the late 1870s.
The growth of railways was also associated with a new direction in central government policy.  Julius Vogel’s public works policy saw large-scale government investment in infrastructure, particularly railways and roads.  The 1870 Railways Act provided for the construction of a number of railway lines at a specified cost per mile.  Thus a railway line was to be constructed from Blenheim to Picton at not more than £3500 per mile.  Railway line construction during the early 1870s received central government funding, but railway lines were generally administered by provincial governments.
Central government took over direct administration of the railway lines in 1876 when the provincial governments were abolished, and the railways passed into the control of the Public Works Department.  In 1878, two Commissioners of Railways were appointed.  One Commissioner was responsible for the administration of railways in the North Island and the other took responsibility for the Middle (South) Island.  The Commissioners also took a role critiquing government policy in relation to the railways.  For instance, in 1879 the Commissioners both commented on the fact that their trains were required to carry mails, materials and employees of the Public Works Department for free or at discounted rates. 
In 1880 a separate Railways Department was established which was responsible to the Minister of Public Works.  The two Commissioners of Railways were replaced by a single General Manager, with responsibility for the administration of railways in both the North and South Islands.
In 1889, a board of 3 Railways Commissioners was appointed in place of the General Manager, to take responsibility for the administration of railways in New Zealand.  The Railways Department was administered as three separate branches, the traffic, locomotive and maintenance branches.  The Locomotive Branch was controlled by the Locomotive Superintendent and the Maintenance Branch was controlled by the Chief Engineer.  The Traffic Branch was directly under the supervision of the Railways Commissioners.  Local district officers represented each branch around the country, except on smaller lines, where one officer might carry out the functions of all three branches.
In 1895 the Department was restructured, becoming the New Zealand Government Railways Department, and the position of General Manager was re-established.  The Department was responsible to the newly created Minister for Railways.  
With a few exceptions, the structure of administration by a General Manager under direct ministerial control was retained for much of the next century. The exceptions to this were as follows: 

    

    
the General Manager was replaced with a Board of Management of three members from 1925 to 1928
    
    

    
following the 1930 Royal Commission on Railways, the Railways Department was administered by a quasi-independant Government Railways Board from 1 June 1931 until its disestablishment on 1 April 1936. Board members were H.H. Sterling (chairman and previously the General Manager), James H. Gunson, George W. Reid, Edward Newman and Daniel Reese (members).
    
    

    
following the 1952 Royal Commission on Railways, the General Manager was replaced with a Railways Commission of five members ("2 commercial men and 3 experienced railwaymen") from 12 January 1953 until its disestablishment on 1 April 1957. The Commissioners were W.E. Hodges (chairman), R. Martin, C.H. Bray, W.L. Wyber and A.T. Gandell (members). 

    
    

By the 1960s, New Zealand Railways was again under the administration of a General Manager, answerable to the Minister for Railways.  The department was divided for administrative purposes into branches, each controlled by an executive officer.  The branches each with their own area of responsibility, were: Commercial, Finance and Accounts, Mechanical, Publicity and Advertising, Refreshment, Road Service, Stores, Traffic, Ways, and Works.
This structure was retained until the early 1980s when the New Zealand Government Railways Department was replaced by the New Zealand Railways Corporation.  This new body was established by the New Zealand Railways Corporation Act 1981.  The Act provided for the departmental structure of New Zealand Railways to be replaced by a statutory corporation, forming part of the executive government of New Zealand.
One of the major changes implemented under the new corporate structure was the removal of direct ministerial responsibility.  The organisation continued to be answerable to a Minister of Railways, but the minister’s powers were only those specifically vested in him under the Act.  In contrast, the Minister for Railways had previously been primarily responsible for operation of the Railways Department, and his approval had been required for any major decisions and many minor ones.  The new Act provided for Railways to be controlled by a Board of not more than seven directors, and administered by a General Manager.
 New Zealand Railways retained this corporate structure until the Corporation was privatised in 1990.
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