northland chamber

Northport - Developing Trade Opportunities for Northland


A new regular service linking Northland with Australia and the Arabian Gulf, operated by Pacific Basin Shipping, adds to a growing list of international destinations available through Northport at Marsden Point.

Both Breakbulk and Containerised options are available to these markets for Northland’s Exporters/Importers.

The Chamber of Commerce supports Northport as ports can be major economic engines for regional economies, creating international business opportunities that generate jobs.

Overseas Studies show that Ports have impacts on Direct & Indirect Employment opportunities, Direct and Indirect purchase of supplies and Tax / Rate takes

In Northland we have the added benefit of the Port being able to act as a catalyst in developing areas such as Marsden Point and Real estate development opportunities in the area. Add on to this a prosperous port adding to the case for increased infrastructure development spend on necessities such as roading and Rail and we have a good reason to be fully supportive and have a stake in a successful port operation in Northland.

So the message is tell every business person about the new shipping schedule at Northport.

Imagine a direct link to the Middle East without having to go through Auckland or Tauranga Ports!

This is a good example of living locally and trading globally. Northland Businesses can also subscribe to the Chambers Trade Opportunities e-letter. We receive hundreds of inward and outward opportunities every year from international chambers of commerce and can forward these to Northland Businesses as we receive them. Many of these come from the Middle East

2007 has also been designated Export year by the NZ Government so the announcement that Northport is now offering a regular shipping service to / from the Middle East obviously opens up new opportunities not only for those producers of bulk cargo (Wood etc) but for anyone looking to expand their markets.

Some interesting facts about exports. Exports make up about 30% of our GDP, and this has remained pretty consistent for the last 25 years. During the same period most other OECD countries have expanded their export base, and in many cases their performance against GDP is twice that of New Zealand. Across New Zealand, only about 12,500 New Zealand businesses export. Of these, the top 359 exporters generated 85% of our exports by value. Fonterra alone accounts for 20% of our total exports per annum.

Other Destinations served by our local port include, China, Australia, Japan, Korea and Philippines.

A full schedule of international ports serviced from Northport, including call frequencies, indicative transit times and contact details can be obtained from the Northland Chamber of Commerce Website by clicking the link from the front page. (www.northchamber.co.nz)


The Northland Chamber of Commerce is the networking, education, advocacy and marketing group for Northland business, and is part of a nationwide network of 30 and a world-wide movement of 21,000 chambers. Subscription to the free fortnightly chamber e-news can be arranged on info@northchamber.co.nz. Enquiries to 09-4384771 or www.northchamber.co.nz, www.kaiparachamber.co.nz and www.farnorthchamber.co.nz

You can have a say on this by going to the Northland Chamber of Commerce Feedback website on www.northchamber.blogspot.com