New Zealand port structure `an expensive extravagance’

<p>The proposed merger of the Ports of Auckland and the Port of Tauranga, abandoned in July this year, cost Tauranga $NZ1.22m in third party evaluation fees, the port revealed yesterday (Thursday, August 30).</p> <p>Port of Tauranga chairman John Parker expressed disappointment with the outcome, saying the merger would have resulted in &#8220considerable benefits&#8221 for New Zealand. </p> <p>&#8220It was clear to both the Port of Tauranga and the Ports of Auckland that a merger would provide substantial financial gains, largely in efficiencies, and these gains would have been shared with customers and shareholders,&#8221 Mr Parker said.</p> <p>&#8220Naturally we are disappointed that for undisclosed reasons, Auckland Regional Holdings have chosen not to proceed.&#8221</p> <p>The issue of port rationalisation would not go away, he said. </p> <p>&#8220In a country with a population the size of Melbourne, to have 10 ports vying to be export ports is an expensive extravagance," he said. </p> <p>&#8220It is expensive in terms of port infrastructure and efficiencies, as well as costing taxpayers excessive sums in roading and port focussed rail links. </p> <p>&#8220Fewer ports would see fewer trucks on the road, more rail and coastal shipping and less pollution.&#8221</p> <br />