6 March 2017

Northport Ltd welcomes and supports the announcement last week by Minister of Transport Simon Bridges that 22km of State Highway 1 south of Whangarei is to be widened in the largest roading project yet undertaken in Northland.

The announcement sends a positive message regarding central government’s support for economic growth in Northland and recognises the vital role that Northport has to play in this.

The fact that State Highway 1 is to be upgraded southwards from Whangarei at the same time as northwards from Puhoi demonstrates an admirable degree of cooperative thinking and will speed up the ‘Connecting Northland’ objective.

We thoroughly endorse the Minister’s statement that improving the region’s freight connections to key export markets will be a game changer for the wider Northland economy. The proposed Whangarei to Port Marsden Highway upgrade will eliminate delays and inefficiencies caused by roadworks and accidents, improving the connectivity of the port not only to Whangarei but also to the rest of Northland.

We believe it will help stimulate investment across the entire region and supports our drive to provide an efficient coastal shipping link for freight imports and exports between Northland and New Zealand’s main international shipping routes. This is a link we have already established but the road upgrade will make it even more efficient and viable for Northland exporters and importers.

We are pleased by the Minister’s statement that NZTA’s ultimate objective is a significant upgrade of the entire highway between Whangarei and Auckland.

The widening of the Whangarei to Port Marsden Highway section of State Highway 1 will not only relieve congestion but will also enhance safety and efficiency.

Sir John Goulter, Chair of Northport Ltd and its 50 percent shareholder Marsden Maritime Holdings Ltd, said:

“This is very positive news for the Greater Marsden Point Area and can only enhance and support our efforts, and those of both Whangarei District Council and Northland Regional Council, to realise the industrial, commercial and residential potential of Marsden Point.”

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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. 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.

For more information please contact:
 

Peter Heath, Due North Public Relations

peter@duenorthpr.co.nz / 021-456089