Announcement of inquiry
Parliament's Transport and Infrastructure Committee (Committee) recently announced that it has launched an inquiry into New Zealand's ports and maritime sector (Inquiry).
The purpose of the Inquiry is to examine the "current state of play, challenges, and future opportunities within the ports and maritime sectors"1. The Committee has stated that as a trade dependent economy, efficient and competitive ports and marine industries are essential to sustaining New Zealand's economic growth and prosperity.
Andy Foster, chair of the Committee, has stated the Government is "focused on lifting productivity and economic performance" and through this Inquiry they will be "seeking opportunities to help raise the performance of our ports and maritime sector and therefore help benefit our export producers and importers alike"2.
Scope of the review
The Terms of Reference outline six key areas of focus for the Inquiry. In summary, the Inquiry will focus on:
- Economic contribution and efficiency – assessing the economic contribution of the ports and maritime industry to trade, logistics and both regional and national economic development and overall efficiency. The Inquiry will also investigate instances where competition between ports may be affected by market distortions.
- Infrastructure and investment needs – evaluating the infrastructure and investment needs to support future growth in this sector, including the adequacy of drydock facilities and looking into safety practices, both in ports and on the sea.
- Regulation, governance and ownership of ports – reviewing the current, regulation, governance and ownership of ports, specifically examining the role of Maritime New Zealand in regulating the sector.
- Environmental sustainability – investigating the environmental impact of the sector including the progress toward decarbonisation and the climate resilience of the sector.
- Workforce and skills development – considering the workforce capacity, training and education pipeline and labour market challenges.
- Security and supply chain resilience – examining the sector's role in national security and supply chain resilience.
Next steps
The Committee has called for submissions by 13 July 2025. It also intends to meet with key players and interested parties across the sector before reporting its findings and recommendations to Parliament at a time yet to be determined.