File photo. Port of Auckland Photo: RNZ / Kymberlee Fernandes
Truck operators are outraged at a steep increase in access charges at the Port of Auckland, but the port's CEO says ratepayers have been subsidising importers and exporters for too long.
An expected 36 percent increase for 2026 had been doubled to 77 percent, with trucks charged $230 in peak hours and $100 in off-peak hours to drive into the country's second largest port.
The National Road Carriers Association represents port transport operators.
Chief executive Justin Tighe-Umbers told Morning Report the increase was effectively a cash grab.
Abruptly bringing the increase forward disrupted operators' planning, and created a flow-on effect that landed on consumers, he said.
"The port puts the charge through to the transport operator, who puts the charge through to the freight forwarder, who puts the charge through to the cargo owner, who puts the charge through to the retailer and ultimately you and I as consumers."
"It kicks off an enormous amount of work, and predictability is really important."
Port of Auckland chief executive Roger Gray said claims the port was already making excessive profits were "simply not true". Photo: Supplied/ Ports of Auckland
Tighe-Umbers said the port was already beating its forecast dividends to the council.
"The danger we see here is that there's a monopoly in the hands of the cash-strapped Auckland council. My concern is that Auckland Council is going to be tempted to treat the Port of Auckland as a revenue tap they can simply turn on whenever they like without consequence"
Port of Auckland chief executive Roger Gray said while the port did bring the charges forward, the increases were signalled a year ago and "shouldn't be a surprise to the sector."
He said claims the port was already making excessive profits were "simply not true".
The port's profit target of $100 million would bring a fair return to the city.
"For too long, the Port of Auckland hasn't been making enough money for its owner, the ratepayers of Auckland, and have been subsidising importers and exporters."
The port was seeing a 7 percent increase year on year in containers going through the terminal, he said.
The port did not have a monopoly, with a significant number of importers and exporters using the Port of Tauranga, Gray said.
