THE likelihood of the Auckland port being re-located outside of the city centre has increased as a result of New Zealand's general election. The move may lead to the creation of a mega port at Northport.
In a close election, the Labour Party has formed a government with the New Zealand First party, whose leader, Winston Peters, is a key proponent of transforming the existing port site into homes and moving freight and cruise operations to an alternative site - such as Northport, Container Management reported.
This comes after an Auckland Council-commissioned report by Ernst and Young determined that, on the current site, the port will be unable to accommodate all the cargo and cruise traffic that is expected in the long-term.
Ports of Auckland is owned and operated by the Council, including its 1.6 million TEU Fergusson Container Terminal. While the council is examining a number of relocation options, Mr Peters favours transforming the existing port of Northport into a 'mega port'. Northport is a two-hour drive north of Auckland.