May 19, 2017
Ngati Whatua keen to buy Ports of Auckland
Ngati Whatua Orakei has put its hand up to buy Ports of Auckland if the Auckland Council sells the company.
Proposals to sell the company are being developed by merchant bankers as a way for the council to fund infrastructure, but there is likely to be stiff opposition from politicians and the public.
Ngati Whatua Orakei Trust spokesperson Ngarimu Blair says the hapu is the natural owner and has long wanted to buy back its former land and Waitemata seabed.
He says it can put together a consortium to achieve that goal, freeing up the capital the city needs to develop.
The consortium could include other iwi and the NZ Super Fund.
Auckland mayor Phil Goff says has had wide-ranging discussions about Auckland's port, but no specific proposal on ownership has been presented to him so far.
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