Upper North Island ‘Growth Triangle’ Confidence Reinforced

Upper North Island ‘Growth Triangle’ Confidence Reinforced by Port Action

The decision of Ports of Auckland to establish an inland port in Hamilton will give upper North Island businesses greater choice for moving exports and imports around New Zealand and offshore.

“Auckland Regional Chamber of Commerce members and other businesses in the Waikato will especially benefit,” said Auckland Chamber head Michael Barnett.

“Unquestionably, manufacturing, warehousing and logistics businesses are growing in the northern suburbs of Hamilton and also in the southern suburbs of Auckland and at strategic locations in between such as Mercer, Huntly and Pokeno.”

A single, inter-dependent economy is rapidly emerging that is market-led and showing no respect to council boundaries.

“It is a smart move by the Ports of Auckland to front-foot and anticipate this growth by establishing an inland port at a critical road and rail corridor junction point between Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty,” said Mr Barnett.

It will give businesses options for using Ports of Auckland, Port of Tauranga and Auckland Airport for both exports and imports, and potentially should make the freight distribution cost cheaper for moving goods around the upper North Island.

“Not least, this decision will give confidence to businesses and others wanting assurances that Auckland’s port is serious about maintaining its hard won status last year as the most efficient port in Australasia,” concluded Mr Barnett.

ENDS

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