Turbulent times for Auckland

Mr Carr says the port, which recently reported a 26% dip in interim profit to NZ$9.3m (US$5.9m), had a “healthy” balance sheet before privatisation within Auckland Regional Council’s investment arm. Now viewed as a prime funding source, he says the business is delivering decreasing service levels while increasing charges.

“There is a real case to release the port from its political handcuffs and get out in the market again and perform like a business, not a social service,” he says.

In a linked development, QC Gary Judd has had his three-year rein as port chairperson terminated, with long-serving board member John Lindsay appointed in his place.

Auckland Regional Holdings said Mr Judd’s approach was “unhelpful” and that he had not sufficiently understood its needs as shareholder/investor. However, Mr Judd counters that in fulfilling his governance responsibilities, he simply gave the shareholder “information and advice it did not wish to receive”.

Meanwhile, industrial action at the port has ended with a new collective employment agreement being signed with the Maritime Union of New Zealand. About 300 staff recently held a four-and-a-half hour stop-work meeting in light of both the previous deal’s expiration and the port’s plans to consolidate its current two-terminal workforce at the cost of 29 jobs.