It would be overstretching the point to suggest that New Zealand is facing a turning point in its ports and land transport development. But if some of the country’ s leading transportation ” thinkers” had their way, it would be.

The major issues, some would suggest, are the development of inland terminals in order to transfer freight more quickly from pressured marine terminals and congested roads; a rationalisation of major ports to trigger improved use of facilities; and encouraging greater freight volumes on to rail to achieve economies of scale.