Leading Auckland business figures are squaring off ahead of a crucial vote today on reclaiming more of the Waitemata Harbour for port operations.

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.

Ports of Auckland is making a fresh bid to extend the city's port into the Waitemata Harbour after a public backlash last year sunk plans to expand 283m into the harbour.

Auckland's Queens Wharf is too small for the new generation of bigger cruise ships and may need a $10 million top-up from ratepayers.

The 2008 world champion Terenzo Bozzone will race in next month's inaugural Ironman 70.3 Auckland triathlon.

Ports of Auckland has been ordered to pay $40,000 for deliberately breaking the law by employing contractors during industrial action at the port.

Auckland has a choice if it wants to open up more of its waterfront - let the port expand into the Waitemata Harbour or lose cargo to Tauranga and Northland.

Auckland Council is considering cutting the number of unelected council-controlled organisations from seven to four.

The Maritime Union denies claims it will lose its dominance in the Ports of Auckland dispute due to the emergence of a new union.

Alternatives to Auckland's inner-city port have already been investigated and costed in a Ports of Auckland study released exclusively to the Herald.

Auckland ratepayers are being asked to chip in $16.8 million for the local marine industry to get a bigger slice of servicing superyachts.