Three rūnanga team up with Dubai’s DP World in bid to run Lyttelton Port
Monday, 22 June 2026
Three Ngāi Tahu papatipu rūnanga have joined with a Dubai-headquartered multinational logistics giant in a bid to take over the operations of Lyttelton Port.
The move has surprised and disappointed unions representing port workers especially since one of the rūnanga came out strongly last year in opposition to the port’s expansion.
Under the proposal, all current Lyttelton Port workers will be retained on no less favourable terms and public ownership will remain, a joint statement released on Monday says.
Despite these assurances the unions say they will fight the bid to take over the port’s operations, fearing it will eventually lead to job losses and profits heading overseas.
The Press reported last week Christchurch City Holdings Ltd (CCHL) received an “unsolicited proposal from a consortium” related to the operation of the port.
CCHL, which owns the port on behalf of Christchurch City Council, did not confirm who the proposal had come from, but unions confirmed it was DP World, the Dubai-based logistics company.
It was revealed on Monday that three rūnanga – Ngāti Wheke, Ngāi Tūāhuriri and Taumutu – have joined with DP World to form a consortium called Tōnui.
In a statement, Tōnui said its proposal was designed to secure the long-term future of Lyttelton Port while reducing future funding pressure on Christchurch ratepayers.
CCHL would retain 100% ownership of the port’s land and strategic assets under the proposal.
A jointly owned operating company would be established under a long-term licence arrangement, bringing together local ownership, community purpose and specialist international port-operating expertise, the release said.
Tōnui partners said the proposal was developed because Lyttelton Port would require substantial long-term investment to meet future freight, resilience, environmental and customer needs.
“We believe the proposal will be able to protect public ownership and financial flexibility while bringing in the capital and expertise needed to strengthen the port for future generations,” rūnanga spokesperson Dr Liz Brown said.
“Critical for rūnanga is making sure the needs of the port, Whakaraupō–Lyttelton Harbour and the region’s environment are safeguarded so they can continue to be assets to Christchurch, Canterbury and Te Waipounamu for generations to come.”
The proposal comes as Lyttelton Port plans an $800m expansion project that would significantly increase the port's capacity.
All current LPC workers would be retained on no less favourable terms, with a focus on retaining existing skills and building new capability, the statement said.
Brown said the proposal was structured around local ownership and community benefit.
“The port remaining 100% owned by the city and the ability to reduce financial pressure on ratepayers are critical success factors for the three rūnanga, alongside cultural, environmental and social outcomes.
“We are focussed on what is best for the long-term future of the region, the harbour and the environment,” Brown said.
But Keep Our Assets Canterbury convenor Murray Horton said the involvement of rūnanga did not make the proposal any more palatable, it simply added insult to injury.
“No matter how the proponents attempt to sugarcoat it, this would still be privatisation, regardless of whether the would-be privatiser’s partners are rūnanga.”
Horton said Ngāi Tahu should “stop aiding and abetting an attempted takeover of our publicly-owned port by a foreign transnational corporation”.
“This would be economic colonisation and Ngāi Tahu should need no reminder of what colonisation means.”
DP World Oceania executive vice president Nicolaj Noes said DP World was grateful to partner with the three rūnanga that bring with them leadership skills grounded in cultural knowledge, and with it a deep commitment to Lyttelton Harbour and Canterbury.
“The proposal offers a long-term investment in the port and the region aligning with the rūnanga’s commitment to wider social benefit and intergenerational stewardship.”
Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) Lyttelton branch secretary Gerard Loader urged caution over the consortium’s bid, despite assurances around staff.
“It all sounds good but with DP World, history shows it’s good for about five years and then they slash and burn staff.”
Loader was also concerned the profits would end up overseas.
He was surprised the three rūnanga had joined the consortium especially since Ngāti Wheke said it was against the port’s expansion last year. It said the reclamation would destroy kaimoana and needed to be stopped immediately.
“Something has changed, that they’re backing it now,” Loader said.
Rail and Maritime Transport Union Lyttelton branch secretary Mark Wilson said he did not know much about the rūnanga involvement but was also surprised at the connection, given DP World’s track record.
He said DP World had a reputation that did not bode well for the port or the Lyttelton community.
He said the union would be requesting a meeting the runnga to understand its involvement.
Christchurch City Council has already signalled in a letter of expectation that it does not support leasing out port operations involving directly employed staff.
“That’s an issue CCHL’s assessment and due diligence process should test carefully,” Brown said in response.
“The proposal has been deliberately structured to protect public ownership of the strategic port assets, maintain continuity of operations, and protect current LPC workers on no less favourable terms.”
The rūnanga’s position on further expansion had not changed, Brown said.
“The three rūnanga do not support further expansion at the port, particularly the proposed Awaparahi Bay project. This is one of the bottom lines that our agreement to support this proposal is based on.”
DP World first approached Ngāi Tahu about the port in August 2024, Brown confirmed.