The first of three Upper North Island Supply Chain Strategy working group reports, chaired by former Far North District Council mayor Wayne Brown, has been released.
It considers the future of Ports of Auckland, Marsden Point’s Northport and Port of Tauranga, including whether Ports of Auckland should be relocated as part of a transport and logistics strategy.
The group is being tasked to “develop a plan for an efficient freight network for the upper North Island (ports, land and rail and road networks) that … will deliver the best long-term outcomes for New Zealand”.
Associate transport minister Shane Jones says the future of New Zealand’s ports, freight services and coastal shipping is “critical to our economy and for promoting opportunities for regional development and employment”.
“New Zealand’s freight volumes are expected to continue to grow. Understanding the drivers and uncertainties around the future of freight and logistics demand is vital to ensuring our supply chain is fit-for-purpose in the long term.
“The work to develop the Upper North Island Supply Chain Strategy comprises a logistics and freight review, as well as a plan for the long-term future of ports in the Upper North Island. It will also include priorities for investment in rail, roads and supporting infrastructure.
“Building an effective and sustainable transport system is a priority for the government. As per our coalition agreement, we are committed to exploring the feasibility of moving the location of the Ports of Auckland, including giving Northport serious consideration.
“We are also committed to investigating a rail line to Marsden Point and Northport and upgrading the North Auckland Line to take pressure off the roads in Northland.
“Freight is a key enabler of our economy, and we rely on our international freight links to connect our goods to the world. About 55% of New Zealand’s freight originates in or is destined for Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions,” Jones says.
Auckland mayor Phil Goff says he welcomes the interim report which “raises useful questions and issues”.
“The relocation of the Port out of Auckland’s city centre has some clear advantages. It would ultimately open-up 77 hectres of central city and harbourside land and wharves for alternative and potentially more valuable uses.
“As in other international cities, it could enhance the attractiveness of Auckland as a place to live, work, enjoy and to visit. It would also reduce congestion caused by freight movement and pollution from associated activities,” Goff says.
Moving Ports of Auckland needs to consider a range of aspects such as impact on consumers and businesses, he says.
“We also need to ensure that the working group on the supply chain strategy considers the value of the investment Aucklanders have made in their Port and the dividend return they get from it which in past years has been $50 million – equivalent to a 3 to 4% rate increase if that dividend is lost,” Goff says.
Meanwhile, National Party transport spokesperson Paul Goldsmith has slammed the report as a “thinly disguised preference for massive investment in rail between South Auckland and Northport”.
“The upper North Island freight system is too important to New Zealand to be left as a political play-thing of NZ First ministers and their political agendas.
“It also seems to be peddling the concept of a nationalised ports monopoly in the upper North Island. There is no evidence or analysis to back up the suggestion that such a nationalised monopoly would be more efficient than current arrangements.
“There is no evidence to suggest the billions it would cost to upgrade rail from Auckland to Whangarei, plus building a new spur to Marsden point and a new freight line across Auckland, would be the best use of scarce transport resources and would lead to a better outcome for exporters or consumers,” Goldsmith says.
The working group will release a second report in June, and final recommendations in September.
