Port unions demand accountability from Lyttelton Port Board and management
Joint media release Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) and Rail & Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday 29 July 2026
The Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) and the Rail & Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) are challenging Christchurch City Holdings Limited (CCHL) and Lyttelton Port Company (LPC) over the proposed Te Awaparahi Bay wharf expansion and what the unions describe as a breakdown in strategic governance.
The port unions understand CCHL will consider the Tōnui/DP World proposal this Friday.
The unions oppose the proposed long-term operating arrangement, which they say would amount to the privatisation of port operations, and expect it to be rejected.
The unions also understand CCHL is due to consider LPC’s investment case for the proposed Te Awaparahi Bay wharf expansion on Friday. They are calling for that decision to be paused.
RMTU Lyttelton Port Branch Secretary Mark Wilson says the business case for the expansion is flawed.
He says its forecasts substantially overestimate future import and export demand across Canterbury.
“These projections do not adequately account for current geopolitical realities or changing global economic conditions. Pushing ahead with a major wharf development under these conditions would be irresponsible.”
The port unions say the approach taken by CCHL and LPC is inconsistent with their public commitments to responsible ownership, careful scrutiny of capital investment, community engagement and partnership with mana whenua.
MUNZ Lyttelton Branch Secretary Gerard Loader says CCHL has allowed port management to act unilaterally, rather than treating mana whenua, local communities and the workforce as strategic partners.
“The port cannot charge ahead with a major project without the backing of the community and the workers who keep it running.”
Mr Loader says the project must also be considered in the context of a broader push towards asset sales, including the ownership review of Enable Networks.
“Selling public assets destroys public value rather than protecting Christchurch’s long-term interests.”
The unions say the LPC Board must change course immediately or resign.
The port unions are calling for an immediate pause to the proposed Te Awaparahi Bay wharf expansion.
They say the full business case should be made public and discussed with Christchurch residents, as the port’s ultimate public owners.
ENDS
For more information, contact:
Gerard Loader, MUNZ Lyttelton Branch Secretary on mobile: 021 128 6236
Mark Wilson, RMTU Lyttelton Port Branch Secretary on mobile: 027 446 8779
Public event
Friday 31 July 2026, 8 am – 10 am
CCHL Offices, 151 Cambridge Terrace, Christchurch
Join us outside the offices of CCHL at 151 Cambridge Terrace while the board of CCHL deliberates on the proposal from DP World to lease Lyttelton Port.