Tauranga shareholders will take some convincing that a new port to serve the upper North Island would be a good move.

There was an unexpected trade surplus in January as exports rose more than forecast, aided by higher shipments of wood, dairy and fruit.

Port of Tauranga, New Zealand's biggest port company, reported a 9 per cent drop in first-half profit as export log volumes fell.

Car imports should be moved from Auckland to Northport at Marsden Pt, says Ports of Tauranga boss Mark Cairns.

Port of Tauranga's profit growth has slowed to 1 percent as log export volumes decline.

Port of Tauranga said its net profit rose by 8.2 per cent to $42.6 million in the six months to December.

The findings of the Transport Accident Investigation Commission's investigation into the catastrophic grounding of the MV Rena, released today, detailed a list of concerns, including those around crew training and international conventions.

The Port of Tauranga said its underlying group net profit rose by 1.3 per cent to a record $78.3m thanks to an increase in bulk cargo.

Collisions, ill-timed power failures, near misses and fires are among more than 50 dodgy incidents involving ships around our coasts over the past year.

Shipping giant Maersk Line, and Fonterra-backed logistics company Kotahi have signed 10-year contracts aimed at supporting the port's plan to deepen its channel by 2016.

Port of Tauranga has signed a freight deal with the Fonterra, Silver Fern Farms and container shipping line Maersk that will facilitate the arrival of 6,500 TEU ships to NZ.

NZ shares rose yesterday, led by Goodman Property Trust, after the property investor said full-year net profit rose 72 per cent. Trade Me and Xero paced the gains while Ryman Healthcare fell ahead of reporting earnings today.

A waterfront dispute has broken out between two of New Zealand's biggest ports, arguing about who is the best.

Port of Tauranga is holding up its inland port at Onehunga as part of the answer to avoiding further reclamation of the Waitemata Harbour for port business.

Cutting back the number of New Zealand ports is a topic that surfaces from time to time, but it's not one the Port of Tauranga buys into.

Employers and employees working at Port of Tauranga need to lift their game to lower the rate of workplace injuries and deaths, union and port officials say.

With more than 1.1 million passenger days spent in New Zealand, the country's ports have survived the biggest cruise season on record - but only just.

The Port of Tauranga says a decision allowing it to make way for super-sized containerships has ended a near four-year battle with iwi.