Rhys Jones today assumes the role of chief executive of Northport Group. He will oversee the continued integration of Northport and Marsden Maritime Holdings, and the group’s drive to realise the potential of the combined port and land business for commercial growth and Northland regional economic development.

Mr Jones brings over 20 years’ experience in the port and marine infrastructure sector, spanning strategy and trade growth, capital project delivery, marine and landside infrastructure, port operations and asset management. He has a deep understanding of port ecosystems and an impressive record of accomplishment in securing complex commercial outcomes, developed over eight years at Darwin Port in progressively senior leadership roles.

He is a chartered professional engineer and was previously Darwin Port’s general manager of engineering. He has led many large-scale, technically complex marine and port infrastructure projects, including dredging and berth-related works, delivering projects on time and on budget.

Northport Group Limited Chair Julia Hoare said Mr Jones had a record of growing a port business in a challenging context by redesigning supply chain solutions and addressing industry constraints.

“His technical and engineering background will also come into play as we implement the group’s plans to maximise the potential of our newly-combined port and land business, and as we consider our options resulting from the consents we now hold for construction of a container terminal, storage area and logistics hub that will serve the future freight needs of not just Northland, but also the upper North Island,” Ms Hoare said.  

He replaces retiring Northport chief executive Jon Moore. When Mr Moore’s retirement was announced in August last year Ms Hoare said that, under his leadership, the port  had experienced “tremendous growth with remarkably few growing pains.”

It had evolved from a construction site to one the country’s most efficient maritime facilities.

“It now has some of the greatest potential of any port in the country,” she said. “Much of this is down to Jon’s vision, determination and leadership, which is why he leaves with our thanks and our congratulations for a job well done. We are also grateful to Jon for his ongoing support in relation to the integration of the Northport and Marsden Maritime Holdings businesses.”

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About Northport Group Limited
Northport and Marsden Maritime Holdings are subsidiaries of Northport Group Limited, owned by Port of Tauranga, Northland Regional Council and the Ngāpuhi investment fund Tupu Tonu.

Northport, situated at Marsden Point at the mouth of Whangārei 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 handled by the port, although it is also seeing growth in coastal and international container traffic. Other export items include kiwifruit, dairy products and manufactured goods. Imports are an important part of Northport’s business and include project cargoes, fertiliser, gypsum, coal and animal feeds.

The port also welcomes cruise ships visiting the Whangārei region.

The group owns 180 hectares of non-port land at Marsden Point. 65 hectares are directly adjacent to Northport’s boundary and are available for lease to companies wishing to make use of the Northport facility. It also owns more than 115 hectares behind this area available for long-term lease to companies wanting to make use of the port.

For more information please contact:
Peter Heath, Due North Public Relations
peter@duenorthpr.co.nz / 021-456089