Having been in talks for over a year now, it appears the Port of Tauranga has grown tired of the time being taken by Ports of Auckland’s owner, Auckland Regional Holdings,to declare its position. Port of Tauranga chairperson John Parker says the withdrawal has been made “reluctantly.
“We believe a very sound business case exists for the merger,”he said.
“Port of Tauranga is cognisant of the need for New Zealand to solve its infrastructure deficit and when the opportunity to merge arises in the future, Port of Tauranga is ready and able to participate.”
However, Auckland Regional Holdings says the withdrawal will allow it to properly analyse the merger without the distraction of inappropriate time constraints.