Prompted by the current wave of industrial unrest at the Ports of Auckland, it has occurred to me that maybe there should only be one major port in the northern half of the North Island of New Zealand and that this should be at the Port of Tauranga.
Auckland on the Waitemata Harbour could become a freight collection centre and Auckland and the Port of Tauranga could be linked by a yet to be constructed new high-speed rail line for freight. This line would be a new route and would be more direct than the current route via Hamilton. This would have a number of benefits:
- it would consolidate Tauranga's position as a port and port city
- it would mean that shipping companies could focus on one port in the north of New Zealand
- since Tauranga is more or less equidistant between Auckland and Hamilton it would draw on both cities and regions
- construction of a high speed rail link between the two cities would provide jobs for the construction industries
- Auckland City could focus on its relationship with its harbour which is in danger of being eroded as the Port indicates that it needs further land for development.
In 2011 container volumes at the Port of Tauranga rose by 15% and represented more than 40% of the Port's total trade. Transhipped tonnage also increased in 2011 as did transhipped containers.
Information Source: Stevenson, R. (2011) Focus on container trade brings 'cracker' result for Port of Tauranga. IN Dominion Post 19 August p.C1
What do you think?
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