The Government has released a new report on the relocation of Ports of Auckland’s freight operations and has ruled out making a decision on the issue before the election.
Transport minister Phil Twyford and associate transport minister Shane Jones confirmed in a statement that the decision will be deferred to allow for more informed policy analysis.
“As a result it will be up to a future government to determine a preferred location,” they say.
The new government-commissioned report was carried out by economic consultancy Sapere.
It considers five relocation options: Northport, Manukau, the Firth of Thames, the Port of Tauranga and a shared increase in capacity at both Northport and the Port of Tauranga.
Its key findings include:
- The port’s current downtown Auckland location has about 30 years’ capacity and there is a 10-15 year window for making a final decision on relocation.
- For all five options, engineering and consenting could be difficult.
- Manukau Harbour was the highest ranked option, although consenting could be problematic.
- The economic costs would outweigh the economic benefits for all the options, including Manukau.
The Upper North Island Supply Chain Strategy Independent Working Group previously identified Northport as the preferred option.
Following the release of the working group’s report late last year the ministry, along with the Treasury and the Provincial Development Unit, were tasked with further work to inform a relocation decision.
Twyford says the issue has significant fiscal, economic, social and environmental implications.
“Because officials have been focused on COVID-19 response and recovery work they have not yet been able to provide advice on Sapere’s assessment of the benefits, costs, risks and uncertainties associated with the options.”
Jones says Cabinet has already noted the Ports of Auckland is not viable as the Upper North Island’s key import port over the long term.
“This new report provides valuable insights that will help inform future decisions on this complex and significant issue,” he says.
Report welcomed
Ports of Auckland chief executive Tony Gibson has welcomed the latest report and says its conclusions come as “no surprise”.
“As an island nation, New Zealand relies almost entirely on ports to meet our trade needs.
“Decisions on where ports are located are therefore very important for our future wellbeing as a nation, and this is especially so for the location of the port which serves our largest city,” Gibson says.
“We are therefore heartened to find that this report has drawn on the knowledge of a wide range of people with deep expertise in port planning, transport and the supply chain. This is as it should be.”
“We are also pleased to see that any future decision will be informed by robust policy analysis.
“Ultimately, a decision of this magnitude is one for our owner Auckland Council and future governments. We look forward to supporting this work as and when needed,” Gibson says.
