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Transport Union

Poll shows strong support for greater public ownership as transport unions call for port protection

Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) & Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) JOINT MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday 14 October 2026

The Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) and the Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) are calling on central and local government to protect public ownership and control of strategic port assets, following new polling showing strong support for greater government ownership of essential services and infrastructure.

A majority of voters for all political parties, including all coalition government parties, supported public ownership over private ownership.

The nationwide online survey, commissioned by New Zealanders for a Democratic Economy (NZDE) and conducted by Talbot Mills Research, surveyed 1,010 New Zealand adults between 17 and 29 September 2026.

It found 66% supported the Government owning more essential services and infrastructure, such as electricity companies, ports and public transport. Twenty-one percent opposed this and 13% were unsure.

MUNZ National Secretary Carl Findlay says the findings strengthen the case for protecting public ownership and accountability, including of the transport network.

“Ports are essential economic lifelines. Decisions about their ownership and operation must serve communities, workers and the wider economy,” says Mr Findlay.

The unions point to Parliament’s Transport and Infrastructure Committee report on ports and the maritime sector, presented on 23 September. 

By majority, the committee recommended that the Government support continued full or majority public ownership of strategic port assets.

The unions also highlight the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s findings of record stevedoring prices and significant increases in terminal access charges in privatised Australian ports. 

The Australian regulator has raised concerns about the ability of transport operators, importers and exporters to avoid or negotiate these charges.

RMTU National President Aubrey Wilkinson says ports must be considered alongside rail, coastal shipping and the rest of the freight network.

“Our ports and rail corridors are part of a national logistics system. Decisions about their future need to protect public accountability and the resilience of the whole supply chain,” says Mr Wilkinson.

“We want political parties and councils to commit to protecting strategic public assets and keeping the public interest at the centre of investment and operating decisions.”

Other findings from the Talbot Mills survey include:

  • 59% favoured retaining government assets for their long-term income, while 31% favoured selling some to reduce government debt now.
  • Majorities opposed selling each of the eight government assets tested, including the Interislander ferries: 56% opposed their sale and 35% supported it.
  • Among supporters of greater government ownership, common reasons included lower or fairer prices (27%), greater government control and regulation (25%), and service and public benefit over profit (15%).
  • 44% said a party commitment to rule out the sale of government-owned assets would make them more likely to give that party their party vote; 19% said less likely.

MUNZ and RMTU support the National Keep Our Assets Pledge promoted by NZDE and Keep Our Assets. 

The pledge asks political parties to retain public ownership and control of the Government’s current assets and rule out coalition agreements providing for asset sales in the next parliamentary term.

The unions are also calling on councils to protect public ownership and control of strategic port assets.