Today's Budget has awarded KiwiRail $1 billion over two years, but Infrastructure New Zealand says that there is not enough for roading. 

Most of the infrastructure funding announced under today's budget will go towards rail, with maintaining existing infrastructure and replacing ageing containers and South Island locomotives, some of which are up to 50 years old.

KiwiRail Group Chief Executive Greg Miller says the announcement shows the clear value rail can add to the country's transport system.

He says rail has a key role to play in reducing New Zealand's transport emissions, relieving congestion on our roads, improving road safety and connecting communities.

However, Infrastructure New Zealand's Stephen Selwood says that a long term rail plan is necessary, but told Heather du Plessis-Allan

"The long term projections for funding there is continuous declining over the next decade while traffic is steadily increasing."

He says that this will affect road safety. 

He would have liked to have seen more improvements to our state highway network, which he says are antiquated and needs significant investment. 

"The roads simply aren't fit for purpose." 

Selwood says that we are "decades behind" when it comes to roading, despite heavy investment from the National government. He says that this is a sign that private investment is needed to bring our roads up to standard.

• Budget: KiwiRail receives $1 billion investment