There were questions over its viability , but in 1899 parliament approved a connection with the line that was progressing north from Whangarei .
It was some time before the isolated Kawakawa -- Opua line was connected to the rest of the national rail network .
There were questions over Opua 's viability , but in 1899 parliament approved a connection with the line that was progressing north from Whangarei .
It was some time before the isolated Kawakawa -- Opua line was connected to the rest of the national rail network .