NZ port ownership scrutinised

Submissions are being sought to an analysis of local government ownership of the nation’s ports being conducted by the New Zealand Productivity Commission.

A deliberately provocative issues paper has been drafted in an attempt to stimulate debate, with Commission chairman Murray Sherwin expressing the want to provoke a more effective outcome in the sector – “better service at lower cost”.

The Commission is to compile its recommendations by the end of the year, with a report filed to the next Government on April 1, 2012.