Published: 20 January 2026 | Category: Rail safety , Guidance for specialists | Audience: Rail participants
This guide supports rail participants applying for a licence or updating their safety case. It explains key duties under the Railways Act 2005, outlines when to reference your safety management system (SMS), and describes good practice for developing a safety case.
It also sets out NZTA’s expectations, which are used to assess both safety cases and SMSs. The guide should be used alongside the Act, which takes precedence.
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