31 January 2020

Northport Ltd welcomes announcements by the government that significant investment is to be made in road and rail links in Northland.

Efficient transport links are vital for the entire region to realise its full economic potential and we will support any development that seeks to achieve this.

We are delighted that a national discussion is being had about realising the full economic potential of our region, and that aspirations for our region are being enabled with significant and meaningful infrastructural investment.

Ports don’t drive economic growth but can certainly facilitate it. Northport has plenty of room and the ability to grow as required to meet the needs of importers and exporters, not just in Northland but in Auckland too, and to help them reduce shipping costs and improve efficiencies (www.vision4growth.co.nz).

Improved, modern transport infrastructure, as part of an integrated transport strategy, adds significantly to this value-proposition.

Coastal shipping has an important role to play in this integrated strategy, and the work announced this week provides for this.

These are significant times for New Zealand’s regions and we’re excited to be part of the story.  

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About Northport

Northport, situated at Marsden Point at the mouth of Whangarei Harbour, is New Zealand’s northernmost deep-water port. It is a flexible facility catering for large, multi-purpose vessels and full cargo handling facilities are available from its 570 metre linear berth.

Logs, woodchip and processed timber for export comprise the bulk of cargo processed by the port. Recent investment in container handling equipment has seen an uptake in coastal and international container trade. Other export items include kiwifruit, dairy products and manufactured goods. Imports are an important part of Northport’s business and include fertiliser, gypsum, coal and palm kernel.

The port is owned and operated by Northport Ltd, itself owned jointly and equally by Marsden Maritime Holdings Ltd and the Port of Tauranga Ltd.