Pictured above: Auckland Ferguson Container Terminal in the 2000s.
The fast-track approval of Port of Auckland’s expansion project will deliver an economic boost for the city, says the Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA).
The project, approved under the government’s Fast-track Approvals Act, will see construction begin next month on extensions to the Bledisloe Terminal and Fergusson North Berth, as well as a new cruise passenger terminal and other upgrades.
The development is expected to create additional jobs during construction, strengthen supply chain resilience, and significantly increase importing and exporting capacity.
EMA Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald says the Port is a vital contributor to the Auckland region, returning millions of dollars in dividends to Auckland Council each year, while providing critical infrastructure to keep goods and services moving.
“This approval is good for Auckland and the wider New Zealand economy,” McDonald says.
“Ports are critical to our economy and a cruise terminal will allow us to provide a better welcome to international visitors.
“At the same time, the expansion will allow for parts of the older wharf to be returned to public use, opening up more of Auckland’s waterfront for locals and visitors alike.”
The project highlights the value of the government’s fast-track legislation in unlocking red tape to deliver results quickly, says McDonald.
“Businesses have been calling for practical reforms to get major projects moving, and this shows the system can work. In just seven months, a nationally significant project has gone from application to approval.
“That speed is critical if we want to lift productivity and unlock growth.”
The EMA believes the project will deliver lasting benefits to Auckland’s economy while cementing the Port’s role as a cornerstone of the country’s infrastructure network.
