September 7, 2026

privatization

Maritime workers oppose Ports of Auckland privatization sneak plan

The Maritime Union of New Zealand says any attempt to privatize the Ports of Auckland will be met with massive opposition.

The Government wants to repeal a law requiring a referendum before shares are sold in the port as part of Super City legislation.

Maritime Union Auckland Branch Local 13 Secretary Russell Mayn says the workforce at the port is firmly opposed to any part or full privatization of the port.

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Ports of Auckland under threat from secret SuperCity agenda

The Maritime Union says it is concerned about the intentions of the Government towards Auckland’s public assets under the proposed SuperCity.

The union represents several hundred workers at the Ports of Auckland, which provides a major income to the people of Auckland who own the port through the Auckland Regional Council.

Maritime Union Local 13 Secretary Russell Mayn says there has been an ongoing “softening up” campaign from big business interests to sell off the Ports of Auckland so they can get their hands on them.

He says there is serious cause for concern that the SuperCity plan for Auckland’s local government will be used to push forward privatization of assets – including the port.

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Port Unions say Port of Lyttelton should be held in local ownership

The two Unions representing port workers in New Zealand have come out against a proposed deal that would see the Port of Lyttelton pass into effective control of multinational corporate Hutchison.

The Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) and the Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) are working together to promote local control of the port.

Rail and Maritime Transport Union General Secretary Wayne Butson says the sell-off means a vital piece of New Zealand infrastructure will be effectively going into overseas control, with serious repercussions for the New Zealand economy.

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