The data, which was sourced via an Official Information Request, was initially purported to illustrate there had been seven deaths and 133 serious accidents across 13 ports since 2011. However, subsequent analysis has revealed two of the deaths were not related to the sector, with a number of the serious harm injuries also potentially not actually occurring within port environs or being irrelevant for other reasons.
Nonetheless, the report stirred up critical comment from many stakeholders, including the Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) which launched a scathing attack on the Port of Tauranga in particular given its recent record of safety incidents.
MUNZ secretary Joe Fleetwood says the business model adopted by the Port of Tauranga of outsourcing, contracting out and casualisation meant “health and safety comes last”.
Mr Fleetwood also rejects a claim made by the port company that it is merely a “landlord” operating a terminal and says ports need to be made to have a duty of care towards all workers — be they onsite contractors or direct employees.