Waikato to the world: Ports of Auckland opens new Waikato Freight Hub

Key investment for the Waikato and New Zealand supply chain

Transport Minister Hon Phil Twyford today officially opened Ports of Auckland's new inland port at Horotiu, just north of Hamilton.

"The Waikato Freight Hub is a key part of Ports of Auckland's rail-connected North Island freight hub network which links Kiwi businesses with New Zealand and global markets," says Ports of Auckland CEO Tony Gibson.

"This is part of Ports of Auckland's strategy to support regional and national economic growth with freight hubs in South Auckland, Mount Maunganui, Manawatu and now Waikato. All are located next to rail and are in regions that generate significant volumes of exports that need to be efficiently transported to a major port."

"Our freight hub network will help lower freight costs, reduce carbon emissions, and offer a wider range of shipping services to North Island exporters and importers. The hub provides future customers with a unique opportunity. Businesses will be able to have their own sites with customised sized warehouse design and layout," says Mr Gibson.

Transport Minister Hon Phil Twyford said "This investment is great for New Zealand and the Waikato. As an island nation, far from overseas markets, we rely on international trade to maintain our standard of living. We need strong, efficient transport links to keep costs down and maintain our competitiveness. Investments like this are absolutely vital."

"Our Government is a strong supporter of rail, so we welcome the fact that this hub will be rail-connected. Moving freight by rail to and from our ports will help reduce road congestion in our major cities and lower carbon emissions, helping the country meet emissions targets."

Waikato District Council Mayor Allan Sanson believes a strong freight and logistics sector is key to supporting the region's growth.

"Waikato is New Zealand's second fastest growing region after Auckland. It makes up the heart of the 'Golden Triangle' bounded by Auckland and the Bay of Plenty, and our region is a major contributor to national export earnings which continue to be dominated by our primary industries.

"This hub will support our existing export industries as well as providing an opportunity for more local businesses to grow and be successful on the international stage. We are also pleased that when fully complete, the freight hub is expected to generate around 300 jobs directly in our district and facilitate many more across the region by acting as an economic catalyst," says Sanson.

MEDIA RESOURCES

Drone footage and still images of the new hub can be downloaded here:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8djiqsbbtatb18b/AABk6MqfY0Xxuxj3geyh-ufEa?dl=0

VNR of the opening event can be downloaded here:

https://chillbox.digitalpigeon.com/msg/dE7QsGroEemq1gYtQsGbAw/VhQopn2kNfITkiDoe2Viuw

The different files are:

1.         Interviews (trimmed) and slow motion cutaways.

2.         Interviews (trimmed) and real time cutaways.

3.         Speeches

Videos 1 and 2 play out as follows:

0:00 - Interview with Phil Twyford, Minister of Transport

1:23 - Interview with Tony Gibson, CEO, Ports of Auckland

3:25 - Cutaways begin

Video 3 plays out as follows:

0:00 - Speech by Tony Gibson, CEO, Ports of Auckland

3:40 - Speech by Phil Twyford, Minister of Transport

11:31 - Speech by Allan Sanson, Mayor, Waikato District Council

15:09 - video ends.

KEY FACTS

• The Waikato Freight Hub is a 33 ha development. The first facility is complete and construction of a new road connection is underway.
• A rail connection is due to be built in the next few years.  Until it is built, freight will travel by road to Hamilton and then by rail to Ports of Auckland's Waitematā sea port.
• POAL have received a lot of interest in the site and expect to announce more customers soon.  The hub provides future customers with a unique opportunity to access fast, efficient transport links and businesses will be able to have their own sites with customised sized warehouse designs and layout.
• By allowing greater use of rail, the new Waikato Freight Hub reduces costs and carbon miles for exporters, making them more competitive overseas.
• Ports of Auckland's North Island freight hub network helps the company make the supply chain more efficient, reducing the distance containers travel and the number of empty container moves.  This will also contribute to lower costs and fewer emissions.
• The freight hub is ideally located in Waikato, one of New Zealand's fastest growing regions. It is in the heart of the 'Golden Triangle' of Auckland, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty.
• The hub provides an opportunity for local businesses to grow here in our backyard and be successful on the international stage. When fully complete, the freight hub is expected to generate around 300 jobs directly and facilitate many thousands more by acting as an economic catalyst.
• Ports of Auckland's other freight hubs are located in Wiri, South Auckland, Mount Maunganui and Longburn, Manawatu. All are located next to rail and are in regions that generate significant volumes of exports that need to be efficiently transported to a major port.

ENDS​

Matt Ball

Head of Communications

P: +649 348 5262

M: +6421 495 645

E: [email protected]