SEATS: Four coaches used on KiwiRail’s Tranzmetro services in Wellington have been refurbished using an engineered leather derived from intimately rewoven tannery by-products.

It is supplied as a continuous roll, which manufacturer E-Leather Ltd says has a 5% cutting wastage compared to up to 40% for traditional hides.

KiwiRail says the seats 'boast a traditional style reminiscent of the early days of rail travel and have been well received by the public'.