Kiwirail using native artworks to combat graffiti/tagging on containers and rail structures.

[Mayner]

Came across a large number of Kiwirail curtainside containers finished with artwork of native New Zealand flora and fauna (fancy name plants and animals) in one of the local railyards yesterday. 

I saw a solid train of these containers passing through Hamilton following their arrival late in the Country last year, but hadn't seen any in regular service.

 

I initially thought that the artworks was intended to deter graffiti, (the majority of Kiwirail wagons and containers tend to be heavily tagged) which appears to be correct https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/napier-kiwirails-new-containers-feature-native-new-zealand-art-to-combat-graffiti/W4OKQRUTSNBNZA73FBYIQNTRWY/ 

Will be interesting to see whether the local taggers can resist the temptation?

The Herald article indicates that the new containers were funded by the State to replace "aged box wagons" i.e. bogie curtain sided and sliding door pallet vans once to transport export forestry products and inter-Island freight traffic. New ish containers possibly going into storage as a result of fall off in rail traffic as a result of a number of North Island paper, pulp and saw mill closures and the temporary? closure of railferry services between North and South Island.

Edited Friday at 05:15 by Mayner