Keep Auckland's Waterfront Assets In Public Ownership!

Progressive Party leader, Jim Anderton, says there has been no mandate given to Ports of Auckland or its owner, Infrastructure Auckland, to sell Westhaven Marina into private, even foreign, ownership.

"A plan by Ports of Auckland to sell Westhaven on the international market could only be justified if such a step was supported by the majority of Aucklanders. I have seen no evidence that this is the case," Jim Anderton said.

Westhaven Marina is owned by the Ports of Auckland Ltd., which is 80% owned by the people of Auckland via Infrastructure Auckland which was established to fund transport and storm-water works.

"The people of Auckland must be asked directly whether or not they authorize their assets to be sell this strategic site.

"The last time the people of Auckland were asked directly for their views on public ownership, a decade ago, they responded with an overwhelming 'No' to alienating key strategic public assets by electing the late Bruce Jesson and an Alliance Party ticket to majority control of the former Auckland Regional Services Trust," Jim Anderton said.

It has been reported in the New Zealand Herald that Ports of Auckland seeks to sell Westhaven on the international market to the highest bidder and has appointed a real estate company as its sale agent.

ENDS

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