Rt Hon Winston Peters
New Zealand First Leader
Member of Parliament for Northland
28 JUNE 2016
Port Extension Goes Against Aucklanders’ Wishes
A “minor extension” for the Ports of Auckland is being recommended, says New Zealand First.
“This is not what Aucklanders want – they protested against any extension to the wharves and took court action which
they won.
“Neither the port nor Auckland Council is listening to the people.
“The ‘Future Study’ on Ports of Auckland was delivered confidentially to directors last week with recommendations being
kept secret but there are proposals for the extension, and for a new port at either Manukau or the Firth of Thames.
“It is clear this was not a comprehensive study, it’s a half-hearted approach serving particular interests, and not New
Zealand’s.
“The study did not consider how many ports this country needs, and did not look outside the Auckland region, to
Northport or Tauranga. It did not consider the value to KiwiRail of an inland port nor the cost of congestion caused by
trucks serving a port in the CBD.
“It surely did not consider the land the ports are using, and whether this is the most appropriate use given it is
probably among the most valuable land in the country.”
ENDS