Chances of getting work as a train manager vary depending on where you are. Opportunities are best in Auckland and Wellington, where there are urban rail networks and terminals for long distance passenger trains. Opportunities in other parts of the country are limited.

Expansion of Auckland's urban rail network means more train managers needed

Opportunities for train managers are best in Auckland, where the urban rail network is being upgraded and expanded to meet increasing demand. New lines, trains and services are being added, with more planned for the next five years. This will mean more opportunities for train managers.

Urban train services in Auckland will also increase to keep up with demand during the Rugby World Cup in 2011. Extra train managers be needed to meet this demand.

Opportunities for train managers also good in Wellington

Vacancies for train managers also arise regularly in Wellington, which has an urban commuter rail network similar in size to Auckland's. However, Wellington's network is not expected to grow as much as Auckland's, so most job vacancies will come through people leaving the job.

Few opportunities for long distance passenger trains

There are few opportunities to become a train manager on long distance passenger (Tranz Scenic) trains, run by KiwiRail. However, extra services are added during the busy summer months, and temporary train managers are hired to help during this time.

Most train managers in New Zealand are employed by:

• KiwiRail, which runs freight and long distance passenger trains, and owns Tranz Metro, which runs the Wellington urban rail network

• Veolia, which runs the Auckland urban rail network.

Some small tourism operators also employ train managers.

Most train managers work on the urban rail networks in Wellington and Auckland.

A small number of train managers work on the long distance passenger (Tranz Scenic) trains that operate out of Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.