Upper North Island ports study announced

An independent technical study into current and future freight demand for ports and ports-related infrastructure in the Upper North Island has been launched.

A collaborative group representing local government in Northland, Auckland, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty has commissioned the study.

The Upper North Island Strategic Alliance (UNISA) has held its second meeting in Tauranga this week.

The meeting agreed that transport complemented by ports and tourism would be priority areas for the alliance in the coming year.

The Mayor of Tauranga chaired the meeting. Stuart Crosby says an efficient, safe and effective transport system is critical for the Upper North Island to achieve sustained economic growth and enable New Zealand to compete internationally.

UNISA will be working with the New Zealand Transport Agency on Upper North Island transport issues and Auckland Mayor Len Brown says a guiding principle must be reducing costs to business through transport and land use.

Hamilton City Mayor Julie Hardaker says the study will explore the Upper North Island's ability to meet freight demand in the context of various potential infrastructure or resource constraints.

The study comes in the wake of public interest in port infrastructure in Auckland and by extension in the wider Upper North Island.

The terms of reference for the study is being developed and will require sign-off from each of the UNISA member councils.

UNISA comprises the Mayors and Chairs of Auckland Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Northland Regional Council, Waikato Regional Council, Hamilton City Council, Tauranga City Council and Whangarei District Council.

Its overall objective is to work together to maximise sustainable development opportunities for all of the Upper North Island and its contribution to New Zealand.