Ports

New Zealand's ports operate as commercial enterprises and as such, investment in port infrastructure should be based on the expected direct returns from that investment. However, most ports still have a significant proportion of local government ownership and in some cases, it appears that shareholders are investing in ports for regional development objectives rather than for strictly commercial reasons.

The infrastructure that the port companies invest in and, ultimately, their commercial success is significantly influenced by the decisions their customers make about where they send their ships or goods.

Though there is limited public information available on planned investment in ports, we are aware of some developments in Auckland and Lyttelton.

The Ports of Auckland Port Development Plan 2008[16]identifies potential options for reclamation to extend the Ferguson and Bledisloe wharves:

Figure 2: Conceptual programme of port development for Ports of Auckland

Sources:  Ports of Auckland Port Development Plan 2008

The Lyttelton Port of Christchurch is currently investigating two projects: capital dredging and a coal stockyard expansions project.[17]