logo
Behind the Port of Auckland: Ford utes, tractors and a 1525% fee hike

Behind the Port of Auckland: Ford utes, tractors and a 1525% fee hike

NZ Herald08-05-2025

However, challenges in some sectors of the economy were obvious.
'Cement is flat, structured steel through multi-cargo is the worst it's ever been, cruise was okay this year, next year [cruise demand] drops by 30%,' Gray told Markets with Madison.
The volume of second-hand vehicle imports had already halved from its peak, he said.
'This trade of all has really been hit by the slowdown in the New Zealand economy.'
The cars that were coming in were more combustion engine conventional cars, not electric.
'I think what will also happen is, if the tariff situation stays with the US and China, I think China will start to look for free-trade markets,' Gray said.
'So rather than sending the BYDs into the West Coast, I'm expecting us to see some quite significant growth in the importation of BYDs into markets like ours.'
Gray said the company, which was owned but not controlled by the Auckland Council, planned to 'sell' back two of the port's wharves to the city for recreational use.
'Not give up, sell,' Gray explained, relating to a debate with the council about whether the land would change hands through a commercial transaction.
The port had guided that it would make a full-year net profit after tax of between $75 million and $80m in the financial year about to end.
'I've been quite open about starting to charge much more in access charges, because in my view, the city wasn't getting a fair return.'
The charge for a vehicle, such as a truck, to enter the container terminal was $8 when Gray arrived at the port in March 2022.
It now cost $130 per vehicle - a 1525% increase.
Advertise with NZME.
And Gray planned to keep increasing the cost, he said, to be more in line with Australian ports that charged around $350.
The company had paid down $100 million worth of debt in the past three years.
It scrapped a straddle software automation project, resulting in a write-off of $65 million.
'I don't think you should ever rule out automation, but what I would say is that automation project wasn't the right one.
'We don't have any capacity constraints now for at least the next 15 to 20 years.'
Go behind every aspect of the Port of Auckland operation in today's episode of Markets with Madison.
Sponsored by CMC Markets.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this programme is of a general nature, and is not intended to be personalised financial advice. We encourage you to seek appropriate advice from a qualified professional to suit your individual circumstances.
Madison Malone (nee Reidy) is host and executive producer of the NZ Herald 's investment show Markets with Madison. She joined the Herald in 2022 after working in investment, and has covered business and economics for television and radio broadcasters.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Was anyone held accountable?
Was anyone held accountable?

Kiwiblog

time9 hours ago

  • Kiwiblog

Was anyone held accountable?

Radio NZ reports: After spending $23m but failing to modernise the births, deaths and marriages registry, officials are having another go. The Department of Internal Affairs has written off $22.9m on the project abandoned last year, returned an unspent $58m to the Crown and remains locked in a dispute with the Australian company DWS over the contract it terminated in late 2023. 'Although some of the work completed will be able to be used for a future civil registration system replacement project, from an accounting standards perspective, it [decided] should impair (write off) all capital costs incurred to date,' DIA told RNZ. So $23 million wasted. Has anyone been held accountable for the failed project?

RC Hobbies NZ Expands RC Drift Car Selection As Interest Grows
RC Hobbies NZ Expands RC Drift Car Selection As Interest Grows

Scoop

time9 hours ago

  • Scoop

RC Hobbies NZ Expands RC Drift Car Selection As Interest Grows

Press Release – RC Hobbies Auckland, New Zealand – RC Hobbies, a leading online hobby shop in New Zealand, has expanded its range of RC drift cars in NZ to meet the rising demand among enthusiasts and newcomers. The company, known for its comprehensive selection of radio-controlled vehicles and parts, now offers an even broader variety of RC drift cars from brands such as Tamiya, HPI, Maverick, and Kyosho. The RC drift car category has seen an increase in popularity both locally and globally. These vehicles, designed to replicate the drifting action seen in motorsport, are equipped with specialized tires and chassis to enable controlled slides and manoeuvres on a range of surfaces. RC Hobbies' expanded inventory includes ready-to-run models and kits, as well as accessories and spare parts, catering to both beginners and experienced hobbyists. RC Hobbies operates as an online-only retailer, providing nationwide delivery and support for customers across New Zealand. The hobby shop stocks a wide range of products, including RC cars, planes, drones, boats, batteries, electronics, and model kits. The business is New Zealand-owned and operated, with a focus on offering products from leading brands and providing technical advice to customers. The updated selection of RC drift cars in NZ reflects the company's commitment to supporting the local RC community. Customers can browse and purchase products through the RC Hobbies website, with options to filter by brand, price, and availability. The company also offers parts, upgrades, and after-sales support to help hobbyists maintain and customise their vehicles. For more information on the latest RC drift car models and other radio-controlled products, visit RC Hobbies' website.

A Bold Dream Gets A Cut As Predator Free 2050 Ltd Is Disestablished
A Bold Dream Gets A Cut As Predator Free 2050 Ltd Is Disestablished

Scoop

time9 hours ago

  • Scoop

A Bold Dream Gets A Cut As Predator Free 2050 Ltd Is Disestablished

Article – RNZ Predator Free 2050 was hit by a budget blow, and now the 'moonshot' goal is under threat, for The Detail The environmental sector worries that the future of a predator-free Aotearoa is in jeopardy after the Government swung the axe in the latest budget. It was billed as a 'moonshot' for New Zealand's environment – a bold, world-leading goal launched by Sir John Key in 2016, aimed at eradicating rats, possums and stoats from our islands by 2050. The vision has been clear – bring back birdsong to every valley, protect the flightless kiwi, and restore what once thrived. But today, the future of Predator Free 2050 looks uncertain. Predator Free 2050 Ltd, the Crown-owned company established to drive and fund large-scale eradication and breakthrough science, is now being disestablished, as announced as part of Budget 2025. Funding for the company will cease by the end of the year, with its responsibilities shifted to the Department of Conservation (DOC), which the government says will reduce duplication, increase efficiency and save about $12 million. 'People are now worried for this programme,' Newsroom environment editor David Williams tells The Detail. 'They say without ongoing funding, we will not only not go forward, but we will go backwards. This programme needs funding, and that's up to the government.' The government insists the broader goal of predator eradication remains. But Dr Kayla Kingdon-Bebb, chief executive of WWF New Zealand, is not entirely convinced. 'New Zealanders believe in the Predator Free 2050 dream, and we want the government to get behind them too. But I'm not sure this will happen. 'I've not been seeing a lot of enthusiasm for environmental outcomes from this government, full stop. We describe the government's policy agenda as a war on nature, and I think it is disappointing that a previous National government got so strongly behind this moonshot objective, and this government does not seem to care so much.' Both Williams and Kingdon-Bebb say the country has 'overwhelmingly' backed the Predator Free 2050 initiative, allowing it to 'come a long way, in a relatively short time'. Already, predator-elimination projects cover more than 800,000 hectares. 'This is a big amount of land,' says Williams. 'And the goal is big … but they have done well. 'They also said they wanted to fund scientific research, and 15 or 20 projects have already had money to try and sort this problem out. 'A lot of community groups have latched on to this – someone said to me that this is the one conservation project that has captured the imagination of New Zealanders more than any other.' Kingdon-Bebb agrees. 'It has certainly captured the hearts and minds like nothing else,' she says. 'We have seen an explosion of community trapping groups and landscape-scale projects over the last nine years, which has been amazing … now I feel the government is taking its foot off the pedal. 'What is apparent is that the government has had a look at the delivery model of the programme as a whole, which is complex. 'So, if it is the case that the government has reviewed it and determined that a crown-owned corporation is not the best delivery methodology, I can accept that. 'DOC has a lot of capability … and perhaps it is appropriate for DOC to be coordinating this work, perhaps there was duplication of roles and functions and costs. 'But where I would be concerned is that in the wider scale of what has happened in the last two budgets, the Department of Conservation will see, in total, about 300 million dollars in savings exacted from it. 'So, it does beg the question whether a very stretched department can pick up the leadership of this initiative in a way we would want to see it done.' Critics say that move will slow momentum, bury innovation under bureaucracy and confuse local projects already stretched thin. They also argue that across the country, hundreds of predator-free community groups, many driven by volunteers, will be left wondering what support will look like without the company's funding, research backing and strategic oversight. But the government insists the predator-free projects and contracts funded by the company are not affected and it is committed to the predator-free 2050 goal.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store