Tāmaki Makaurau MP Peeni Henare wants to see a strong Māori presence in any discussions about the future of the Port of Auckland in the wake of a report calling for the relocation of port operations to Whangārei and Tauranga.
A study group headed by former Far North mayor Wayne Brown estimated it would cost $10 billion to beef up capacity at Northport, including improving rail and road links to Auckland.
Mr Henare says whatever happens with the current study, some change is inevitable and iwi including Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei want to be involved in the decision making.
"It would have a significant look on at least the way our port looks, the kind of traffic in our harbour, and it will spread those jobs elsewhere in the country. In my discussions with Ngāti Whātua, they have always been big advocates of redesigning and making sure the waterfront down there is utilised the best it can be and has a really strong Māori flavour to it," he says.
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