Auckland's port future: Most residents want port gone, and soon

Thursday, 3 October 2019

The future roles of ports at Auckland, Tauranga and Marsden Point are being reviewed

More than half of Aucklanders want the city's port moved elsewhere, according to a survey accompanying a proposal to close the operation and expand Northport at Marsden Point.

Only 28 per cent of 500 surveyed preferred the port stay where it is on Auckland's waterfront, and more than a third wanted it gone within a decade.

The Colmar Brunton survey was commissioned by a government-sponsored working group that recommended a $10.3 billion shift of Auckland's port trade to an expanded and better-connected Marsden Point.

A night aerial view of Auckland's port and downtown area.

Fifty-five per cent wanted the port to go, and 54 per cent thought redevelopment would be good for Auckland.

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Asked how soon the change should happen, 34 per cent wanted it within a decade, while 21 per cent opted for as soon as possible.

Most Aucklanders surveyed want more recreation and entertainment on waterfront land.

While an economic analysis of the port options suggested Auckland Council could earn tens of millions of dollars from rates and leases on redevelopment port land, the public had different ideas on how it should be used.

When asked for views on what should happen on the waterfront over the next 30 years, only three per cent mentioned commercial development and eight per cent suggested residential uses.

More recreation and green space was listed by 22 per cent, and restaurants, cafes and bars by 16 per cent.

A port re-location would not be all good news though. When asked about 'risks or issues', 20 per cent of respondents mentioned job loses or fewer employment opportunities.

The cost of freight was raised by nine per cent, and slower delivery times or price increases by eight per cent.

If the port trade did move north, 79 per cent said cargo sent down to Auckland should move by rail.

Overall, 62 per cent of those surveyed thought Auckland's attractiveness would be 'much or slightly better' after a port re-location.

The survey was conducted in May and had a margin of error of 4.4 per cent.

It was released as part of a draft report from a government sponsored independent working group exploring the futures of the upper North Island's ports at Auckland, Tauranga and Marsden Point.

The draft favours a complete shift from Auckland to Marsden Point, with a final report due to go to cabinet next month.

The work has been carried out as part of the coalition agreement negotiated by New Zealand First, but the government is not committed to pursuing any outcome.