The Port of Auckland is on the North Island of New Zealand. It lies on an isthmus between Manukau Harbor on the Tasman Sea and Waitemata Harbor on the Pacfic, being one of few cities with harbors on two different water bodies.
Port History
Containing fertile soil, the isthmus was settled by the Maori in the middle 14th Century with fortified villages built on volcanic peaks. Before Europeans arrived there, about 20 thousand Maori lived in the area. Europeans brought firearms, followed by intense warfare between the native tribes and driving native populations out of the area and making way for European settlement.
After the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, the Port of Auckland was capital of New Zealand until 1865 when the administrative center was moved to Wellington on the South Island. Even so, the Port of Auckland continued to grow with immigration. In the early 1860s, Auckland was the base against the Maori King Movement and expanding European influence into the region.
In the early 20th Century, the Port of Auckland expanded rapidly due to the growth of railways and trams. The introduction of automobiles stimulated further expansion and the birth of new urban areas in the region. Today, the Port of Auckland has a suburban character, and it covers an area over 1000 square kilometers.
Formed in 1988, the Ports of Auckland owns and operates the Port of Auckland, which is the country’s biggest international container port. The Port operates 24 hours a day throughout the year and services over 1700 ship calls, 4 million tons of breakbulk cargo, and over 770 thousand TEUs of containerized cargo each year. The Ports of Auckland is responsible for ensuring an efficient supply chain for containers and developing container hub operations.
Port Commerce
Established in the early 1840s on the eastern shores of the isthmus, the Port of Auckland was New Zealand’s busiest port by 1920. Established in 1840 on the western shores of the isthmus, the Port of Onehunga offers domestic port services for local trade and the local fishing fleet. In 2005, the Port of Auckland handled over 644 thousand TEUs of containerized cargo, 4.9 million tons of breakbulk cargo, and over 200 thousand automobiles.
The Port of Auckland’s general wharves, with three kilometers of berthage, are used for breakbulk and bulk cargo. Freyberg Wharf is a general purpose wharf with 426 meters of berthage and 5.8 hectares for handling cargoes that include containers, general cargo, fruit and vegetables, steel, dry bulk, and vehicle imports. Jellicoe Wharf, a general purpose wharf, offers 670 meters of berthage and 8.2 hectares for handling cargoes.
Marsden Wharf has 398 meters of berthage and one hectare for handling imported vehicles. Captain Cook Wharf, also dedicated to imported vehicles, contains 478 meters of berthage and 2.2 hectares for cargo-handling. Queens Wharf, used for the import of vehicles, timber, fruit and vegetables, is also the back-up berth for cruise ships. It offers 516 meters of berthage, 3 hectares for cargo-handling, and 2300 square meters of cool storage. Wynard Wharf is a deep-water facility specializing in bulk liquid cargo including chemicals, minerals, fish, vegetable oils, bulk sand, petroleum products, and general cargo. It offers 486 meters of berthage and one hectare of operating area.
New Zealand’s biggest container terminal is Axis Fergusson. It handles more than 300 thousand TEUs of containerized cargo a year and 25 hectares of terminal facility. Expansions are underway that will add 9.5 hectares and expand capacity to 500 thousand TEUs a year. The Axis Bledisloe container terminal covers 14.5 hectares, and it offers services for vessels needing quick-turnaround and for refrigerated containers. Axis Pack provides specialized services for exports. It offers 8000 square meters for storing dry export cargo like timber and paper products, and it also offers imported container unpacking services.
Cruising and Travel
The 2006-2007 cruise ship season in the Port of Auckland included the arrival of the Queen Mary 2 among the 21 cruise ships that made 48 calls at the port. The Princes Wharf overseas passenger terminal welcomed more than 100 thousand passengers during the season.
Travelers visit the Port of Auckland from all over the world. The City of Auckland offers nearby white and black sands beaches, beautiful rainforests, regional parks, and a maritime park that preserves about 47 islands. The Port of Auckland is called the “City of Sails” due to its resident’s love of sailing. Among the recommended activities for tourists in the Port of Auckland include:
- hiking in the Waitakere Ranges with their waterfalls and beach views,
- climbing the Auckland Harbour Bridge,
- jumping from the 192-meter Sky Tower,
- visiting Auckland’s café mile (Ponsonby),
- tasting wine on Waiheke Island,
- playing at the Rainbow’s End family theme park,
- climbing to the summit of Rangitoto,
- skating in Okahu Bay or on Tamaki Drive,
- visiting one of Auckland’s volcanic cones, and
- learning about Maori culture with Potiki Adventures.
Visitors will also enjoy the Auckland Art Gallery, Auckland Zoo, the StarDome Observatory on One Tree Hill, Kelly Tarlton’s aquarium, the Regional Botanic Gardens, the Museum or Transport and Technology, the Lion Beer Experience, and the Otara Flea Market. Travelers wishing to visit the Port of Auckland can find a schedule of cruise ship visits on the Ports of Auckland’s website.
|
