This story first appeared in the May issue of AutoTalk – CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE
A new inland freight hub is being praised as a key investment for the Waikato and New Zealand supply chain.
Ports of Auckland’s new multimillion-dollar inland Waikato Freight Hub located at Horotiu, just north of Hamilton, was officially opened on April 30.
Transport minister Phil Twyford, Waikato District Council mayor Allan Sanson and Ports of Auckland chief executive Tony Gibson were at the ceremony which included a blessing by members of Tainui iwi.
The first facility is now complete at the 33-hectare development and construction of a new road connection is under way.
A rail connection is due to be built in the next few years.
Until then, freight will travel by road to Hamilton and then by rail to Ports of Auckland’s Waitemata sea port.
Open Country Dairy, New Zealand’s second largest exporter of whole milk powder, is the hub’s first freight customer, operating from a 7000sqm warehouse.
Ports of Auckland have received a lot of interest in the site and expect to announce more customers soon.
The freight hub is expected to generate around 300 jobs directly and facilitate thousands more by boosting local economic activity through more efficient truck and train movements.
Ports of Auckland chief executive Tony Gibson says the facility will play a key role in the rail-connected North Island freight hub network linking Kiwi businesses with New Zealand and global markets.
“This is part of Ports of Auckland’s strategy to support regional and national economic growth with freight hubs in South Auckland, Mount Maunganui, Manawatu and now Waikato.
All are located next to rail and are in regions that generate significant volumes of exports that need to be efficiently transported to a major port.
“Our freight hub network will help lower freight costs, reduce carbon emissions, and offer a wider range of shipping services to North Island exporters and importers.
The hub provides future customers with a unique opportunity.
Businesses will be able to have their own sites with customised sized warehouse design and layout,” Gibson says.
Transport minister Phil Twyford says the investment is “great for New Zealand and the Waikato”.
“As an island nation, far from overseas markets, we rely on international trade to maintain our standard of living.
We need strong, efficient transport links to keep costs down and maintain our competitiveness.
Investments like this are absolutely vital.
“Our Government is a strong supporter of rail, so we welcome the fact that this hub will be rail-connected.
Moving freight by rail to and from our ports will help reduce road congestion in our major cities and lower carbon emissions, helping the country meet emissions targets,” Twyford says.
Waikato mayor Allan Sanson says a strong freight and logistics sector is key to supporting the region’s growth.
“Waikato is New Zealand’s second fastest growing region after Auckland.
It makes up the heart of the ‘Golden Triangle’ bounded by Auckland and the Bay of Plenty, and our region is a major contributor to national export earnings which continue to be dominated by our primary industries.
“This hub will support our existing export industries as well as providing an opportunity for more local businesses to grow and be successful on the international stage,” Sanson says.
Open Country Dairy chief executive Steve Koekemoer says the hub creates a big advantage being located between New Zealand’s two dominant ports, Auckland and Tauranga.
“Strategically the new Waikato hub will allow us to continue our export growth while lowering our costs and environmental footprint through greater use of rail,” Koekemoer says.
