A waterfront dispute has broken out between two of New Zealand's biggest ports, arguing about who is the best.
The argument over whether Ports of Auckland or Port of Tauranga is best erupted after a glowing Morningstar report called Port of Tauranga Australasia's most productive, efficient port.
Matt Ball, head of communications at the Ports of Auckland, disputed the claim, saying Morningstar had got it wrong when it came to which port was most efficient.
"Times have changed down on the waterfront and Tauranga no longer has everything its own way," Ball told The Herald. "When you look at the speed with which ships are handled, it is Ports of Auckland which comes out on top. Latest Ministry of Transport figures show Ports of Auckland has been leading on two out of the three port productivity measures since 2012. In the most recent quarter Auckland's ship rate - the speed with which ships are loaded and unloaded - was 17 per cent higher than Tauranga," Ball said.
The glowing Morningstar report said Port of Tauranga trade volumes in 2012 had increased by 20 per cent. The amount of cargo handled from 15.4 million tonnes to 18.5 million tonnes, in the face of subdued international trade.