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October 2011
The latest information
and community news
from Auckland’s Port
In brief
Onehunga Community
Festival
Ports of Auckland will sponsor the
Onehunga Community Festival again
in 2012, with the popular event
returning to Onehunga Bay Lagoon in
March.
The Ports of Auckland waterslide
will be in action along with a stall
providing information about the port to
interested residents.
Port of Onehunga – coastal
shipping hub
First established in the 1800s, the Port
of Onehunga is owned and operated by
Ports of Auckland.
Although the Port of Onehunga is
small compared to the Waitemata
seaport, the country’s busiest seaport,
General Manager Marine & Multi-Cargo
Wayne Mills says it has an important role
to play as a hub for coastal shipping.
“The Port of Onehunga provides vital
services for business and industry in
South Auckland and throughout the
wider Auckland region, particularly
the construction industry through the
importation of cement,” says Mr Mills.
“In providing these services the port
works closely with two key customers,
Pacifica and Holcim, handling
approximately 400,000–450,000
tonnes of cargo annually.”
Manukau Harbour is the second
largest natural harbour in New Zealand,
but navigation is restricted to several
clearly defined channels due to a
number of factors. The harbour mouth
is between the northern head located
at the southern end of the Waitakere
Ranges and South Head at the end of
the long Awhitu Peninsula.
“The combination of the small
harbour mouth and large harbour
area means tidal flow is rapid, causing
tidal sand bars to form. Navigation
is challenging because of a curving
sand bar – the Manukau Bar – situated
several miles offshore across the
harbour entrance.”
Celebrating diversity at the
Ports
Ports of Auckland has a diverse
workforce of more than 650
employees. This year saw the Ports
go a little further in celebrating the
diversity within the organisation by
celebrating Diwali.
Diwali, popularly known as the
festival of lights is celebrated by over
a billion people world-wide. It is a
celebration of the triumph of good
over evil and the end of the harvest
season. Diwali also marks the New
Year in the Hindu calendar.
As with many festivals across the
world, Diwali is celebrated with a lot of
food and the coming together of the
family and the community.
Led by Indian staff members with
the help of volunteers from other
cultures, staff enjoyed an Indian meal
along with a lamp painting contest
highlighting some surprising creative
talents among the wharfies.
It was a fun day with fantastic food,
music and activities.
66.5 metre vessel Jaguar made its
first visit in January 2010, delivering
approximately 1,200 metric tonnes of
grain from Timaru.
Ports of Auckland maintains and
operates a signal station on South Head
(pictured left) to assist vessels entering
and departing the harbour. The signal
station is staffed by local identities Evan
and Carol McGregor who have been
doing the job since 1985.
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Ports of Auckland is providing support to
Te Papapa School under the Committee
for Auckland’s Schools and Business
programme.
Ports of Auckland Chief Financial
Officer Wayne Thompson leads the
port’s relationship with Te Papapa and is
on the school’s Board.
He says he has been impressed with
the quality of the school’s management
and teachers, and with the quality of the
education provided to the school’s 270
pupils.
Recently Ports of Auckland organised
for a group of children from the school
to visit the Giant Rugby Ball on Queens
Wharf for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
“The children were blown away with
the experience at the Giant Rugby Ball.
It was a fantastic, unique opportunity,”
Te Papapa School Principal Robyn Curry
said.
Students Murray Faivalu, Dion
Tuitakau and Tevita Hala had a great time
at the Giant Rugby Ball.
Murray said “It was awesome to visit
and explore the enormous rugby ball. I
will never forget this experience”.
Ports of Auckland also recently
donated 10 PCs, five screens and two
laptops to Te Papapa School.
Stevedores from Ports of Auckland
have also visited the school to read to
the children during “Library Week”, and
answer questions about their jobs.
“We’ve enjoyed working with the
school and have enormous respect for
the teaching staff and the work they
do,” says Mr Thompson. “We have a
better understanding of the Onehunga
community and its needs as a result of
the partnership.”
Ports of Auckland started working with
Te Papapa School since 2008, providing
support and mentoring in areas such as
IT, finance and governance.
Image courtesy of Insight
Port supports Te Papapa School
Wonder what’s new at the Ports?
Want to view images of events and
interesting cargo? Join our Facebook
page. Simply log onto Facebook and
type Ports of Auckland in the search
bar. Click on the link and once on the
page, hit the “Like” button on the top.
We hope to see you there!
Public Feedback Hotline
Being a city port is a huge
responsibility for the Ports. We
welcome feedback from our
community. To share your feedback
with us, please contact our 24 hour
public feedback hotline:
+64 9 348 5200
or email feedback@poal.co.nz
Send your comments on Rapport
to rapport@poal.co.nz.
For more information about Ports of Auckland, visit www.poal.co.nz, email info@poal.co.nz or phone 09 348 5200.
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