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Selling Port of Auckland would be “letting the vultures in”

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

The Maritime Union says ongoing uncertainty about the future of Port of Auckland is a threat to the economic stability of Auckland City and New Zealand.

The Mayor of Auckland is proposing two options – the sale of an operating lease of the Ports of Auckland (with proceeds going into a fund), or continued Council ownership of the Port with a gradual reduction in size.

The stated preferred option for the Mayor is privatisation – sale of a long term operating lease.

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison says the Port of Auckland must remain in public ownership.

Mr Harrison says there is danger of massive price hikes on freight if Port of Auckland was privatised, as recently happened in Australian ports operated by global port conglomerate DP World.

“It will be worse than the chickens coming home to roost if we hand over the port to an outfit like this – it will be the vultures coming home to roost.”

Mr Harrison says there is currently no feasible alternative to the Port of Auckland, with other ports operating at capacity, and lack of infrastructure to move freight to Auckland from other ports.

He says it is not realistic to shrink the Port without having a plan in place as how the growing quantity of freight will be handled.

“Any major changes to port location or the supply chain would be a multi-billion dollar, decades long process, requiring central and local Government co-ordination, including coastal shipping and rail links.”

“Put simply, the current value of the Port of Auckland as a trade gateway for the country far outweighs its value to the Council as a one off cash injection.”

Mr Harrison says according to polling carried out for the Maritime Union, a strong majority of Aucklanders oppose any sale of the Port, and elected representatives would be held to account if they went against the will of the people.

“There is no doubt Auckland City faces difficult decisions, but the sale of the port is not a solution.”

“The best approach is to maintain a steady course for the Port of Auckland as a profitable strategic asset for the people of Auckland.”

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Maritime Union statement on Gaza and Port protests

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

The Maritime Union of New Zealand says it supports the right of the community to take part in peaceful protests at ports and elsewhere.

Community protests are planned against Israeli-connected container ships at the Port of Auckland as international pressure mounts for a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict. 

The Contship Dax operated by ZIM Integrated Shipping has already been the focus of protest action in Australian ports last week and the ship will be calling in New Zealand ports in the next week, including Tauranga, Auckland and Lyttelton.

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison says the Union is backing international calls for a ceasefire in the Israel–Gaza conflict.

He says the Union endorses calls by Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins, the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions, and the International Transport Workers Federation supporting a ceasefire and a political solution to the conflict.  

“The Maritime Union condemns any attacks on civilians, and we recognize the long standing political issues including the oppression of the Palestinian people that have contributed to the current catastrophe.”

Mr Harrison says protests at ports are occurring throughout the world and are likely to become more common as concern mounts at the rising death toll of civilians in Gaza.

He says the Maritime Union strongly opposes any form of religious or ethnic discrimination including anti-semitism or anti–Muslim prejudice.

“As a Union we are united as workers and support all efforts towards international solidarity, justice and peace.” 

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Research sparks innovation and the develops professions, says Early Career Researcher

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

Max Christie

In this feature we interview staff members who have been identified as Early Career Researchers. In the spotlight is Max Christie, an Early Childhood Education Lecturer in the Faculty of Education, Humanities and Health Science.

What is your highest qualification and where and when did you finish it?

Masters of Education, Victoria University of Wellington, Finished in 2021.

Are you currently completing any other post graduate programmes?

No, unless you count learning to be a lecturer, which feels like a post-graduate programme in a way.

What is your role at EIT and what courses do you teach?

Lecturer or Kaiako. I teach a variety of courses. Next year I will be teaching;

– Education and Society

– Emergent Literacy

– Play, Pedagogy and Curriculum

– The History of Early Childhood Education

– Professionalism

– Leadership

– Artistic Languages

What areas do you specialise in?

 I would say that I have expertise within most aspects of Early Childhood Education. It is difficult to narrow this down to one or two areas of particular expertise.

What research have you been involved in either last year or this year (please give details)?

None. I have just started work as a lecturer, previous to this I was travelling, teaching in and managing Early Childhood Centres

How important is research to you as an academic?

Vital. We must always strive to create new and interesting provocations for practitioners in order to spark innovation and the development of our profession in ECE.

How supportive is EIT in encouraging you to do research?

EIT has been very clear that I will be supported to do research and that this is a key part of my role which is very exciting

The post Research sparks innovation and the develops professions, says Early Career Researcher first appeared on EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti.

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EIT | Te Pūkenga students to showcase work produced at MTG | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

3 mins ago

EIT | Te Pūkenga Design Lecturer Roger Kelly (left), Level 6 Design ākonga (student) Maddie Klose and Level 7 design ākonga Micah Westrupp working to develop the visual identity for the ‘We Design’ exhibition.

Work produced by EIT | Te Pūkenga IDEAschool ākonga (students) will be on show at MTG, with a special industry showcase night to celebrate.

‘We Design’ is a multidisciplinary exhibition by Bachelor of Creative Practice (Design) ākonga, bringing together the best of 2D and 3D Design with projects in Graphic Design, Urban Design, Object Design, Product Design, Spatial Design, and Illustration.

EIT | Te Pūkenga Design Lecturer James Smith says it is the first of its kind for IDEAschool and the Bachelor of Creative Practice (Design).  

For the first semester, ākonga were based at MTG Hawke’s Bay Tai Ahuriri due to the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle on the Hawke’s Bay Campus in Taradale.

While they will have their annual end of year exhibition at the campus on November 24, James says they wanted to acknowledge the relationship that has developed between IDEAschool and MTG. It will be held tomorrow (Wednesday, November 8).

“We organised with them to have this end of year exhibition to showcase the students work that they made with a lot of challenges due to the cyclone and displacement. And they’ve been supported by the MTG, so it’s celebrating that relationship which we look to foster going forward as well.”

The level 6 ākonga, who are seeking internships for their final year of study, are showcasing their ‘Mobile Activity Units’ produced as part of their ‘community project’ in collaboration with the MTG.

On the other hand, work produced by the level 7 ākonga, on the cusp of finishing their degree, is more individualised.

Design Lecturer Beck Wheeler says the work produced is of a really high standard.

EIT | Te Pūkenga Level 6 Design ākonga (student) Maddie Klose taking photos of one of her team’s ‘Wonder Hubs – Mobile Activity Unit’ scale models for presentation at the ‘We Design’ exhibition on Wednesday.

MTG Hawke’s Bay Tai Ahuriri Director Laura Vodanovich says: “We were really happy to have the students with us”.

“It made it a really easy way to collaborate with them by working within the museum context and coming up with ideas for their community project.

“Being able to interact in the space all the time was, I think, really helpful for them and for us and it is exiting to have their exhibition on display so they can show some of the work they’ve done while they’ve been here.”

‘We Design’ will be held at MTG Hawke’s Bay Tai Ahuriri on Wednesday (November 8) at 4.30pm. For more information visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/351027480923290. An end of year showcase will be held at the EIT | Te Pūkenga Hawke’s Bay Campus in Taradale on November 24 at 5.30pm.

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EIT | Te Pūkenga graduate youngest to win Young Winemaker of the Year | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

Alena Kamper, a graduate of the Bachelor of Viticulture & Wine Science Concurrent at EIT | Te Pūkenga, is the 2023 Tonnellerie de Mercurey North Island Young Winemaker of the Year.

An EIT | Te Pūkenga graduate has been named the 2023 Tonnellerie de Mercurey New Zealand Young Winemaker of the Year.

At 22 years old, Alena Kamper, who now works as a Cellar Hand at Sacred Hill Winery in Hawke’s Bay, is the youngest person to win the coveted title.

“I am over the moon. It still feels quite surreal,” Alena says.

“Especially with the calibre of the contestants this year, I think it could have been anyone’s game. So incredible to take it out. I feel very very honoured.”

The national final took place at The Bone Line in North Canterbury on Tuesday (October 31). The  three finalists delivered their speeches at the Altogether Unique Wine Industry Celebration in Christchurch the following evening, when the overall winner was announced.

It comes just a year into Alena’s career, having completed the Bachelor of Viticulture & Wine Science Concurrent at EIT | Te Pūkenga at the end of last year, and graduated in August.

Alena was initially nervous to enter the competition but is glad she took the plunge. She first won the North Island Young Winemaker of the Year in September, qualifying her for the national final. 

“I definitely felt like I was quite the underdog in the situation. So just so surreal when they called my name out. It’s been an incredible experience. I’ve learned so much.”

Alena won two section prizes; the Fruitfed Supplies best speech and the Indevin Wine Judging Section.

The speech topic was: “Why is your region unique and how does it complement other regions to make New Zealand wine altogether unique?” Each contestant had the same topic and had to speak on their specific region.

“That was definitely a highlight, especially when you get the chance to talk highly of your region. It just felt so easy to write and I truly believe that Hawke’s Bay is the best wine region of New Zealand, so it was awesome.”

Alena looks back at her time at EIT | Te Pūkenga with fondness, saying the programme was recommended to her by an old science teacher of hers at the school she attended, Sacred Heart College.

She says she loved the degree and was pleased that the lecturers gave one-on-one help to students.

“I think it’s just been the perfect launch platform. They give you just so many skills to be able to ask the questions and interpret all the things that you come across in the industry. It gave me great connections to start off with and it’s been awesome.”

As NZ Young Winemaker of the Year, Alena took home a prize package that includes $1000 cash, a visit to the Tonnellerie de Mercurey cooperage in Burgundy, France, and the opportunity to be an associate judge in the 2024 New World Wine Awards and review some of her favourite wines in DrinksBiz magazine.

The Head of the EIT | Te Pūkenga School of Viticulture and Wine Science, Sue Blackmore said they are so excited for Alena.

“An incredible achievement for someone less that a year out of study. We wish her all the best for what will be an amazing career in the Wine industry.”

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Massive price hikes in DP World Australian ports must scuttle Auckland port privatization plans

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

DP World, the global port operator linked to a privatisation agenda at the Port of Auckland, is embroiled in controversy in Australia after massive price hikes for port users.

Terminal fees are set to jump more than 50% at DP World’s Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney operations, leading to one freight industry manager describing the situation as “daylight robbery”.

The price hit also led to Australia’s former competition watchdog chair, Graeme Samuel, saying the Government needed to take control of the model of privatisation that had led to “rampant high prices”.

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison says the news confirm findings in a report released in September 2023 by the Union that warned of major price hikes on freight if Port of Auckland was privatised.

Mr Harrison says the Union had accurately predicted the failure of the previous automation project at Port of Auckland, and it did not want to be proved right about port privatisation.

He says Auckland City needs to immediately dump any proposals to privatise the Port of Auckland, unless it wanted to wreck the local economy.

Mr Harrison says the DP World in Australia is currently at war with freight businesses, importers, exporters and their workforce.

“Do we really want to hand over a strategic asset and natural monopoly to this type of outfit?”

Protected industrial action is ongoing in Australian ports, with the Australian Council of Trade Unions last month calling on DP World to ‘return to good faith bargaining and abandon their attacks on hard working maritime workers in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle.’

More bad news about the practices of the multinational came out in a report released this week in Australia, showing DP World in Australia paid zero income tax in Australia over the last eight years, despite revenues of over $4.5 billion in that period.

A poll released by the Maritime Union on 11 October showed an overwhelming majority of Aucklanders wanted the Port of Auckland kept in public ownership.

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Does DP World dodge taxes? Port giant under spotlight

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

The multinational involved in the proposed privatisation of Port of Auckland is the subject of a new Australian report “Does DP World dodge taxes in Australia?”

The report is published by The Centre for International Corporate Tax Accountability and Research (CICTAR).

Key findings show DP World in Australia paid zero income tax in Australia over the last eight years, despite revenues of over $4.5 billion in that period.

DP World appears to have used complex methods to artificially reduce taxable income and shift income offshore, according to the report.

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison says Aucklanders should be watching closely what is happening with DP World across the Tasman.

Protected industrial action has recently taken place in Australian ports, with the Australian Council of Trade Unions last month calling on DP World to ‘return to good faith bargaining and abandon their attacks on hard working maritime workers in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle.’

“Selling a strategic asset and natural monopoly like Port of Auckland to a global operator like DP World would be leaving a vampire in charge of the blood bank.”

Mr Harrison says the disturbing record of DP World in Australia can be compared with the positive situation in Port of Auckland.

He says with new management working with the Union at the Port of Auckland, there have been rapidly improving returns for the people of Auckland.

“Why would we want to mess with this successful Port?”

The Australian tax report on DP World follows on from a report released in September 2023 by the Maritime Union of New Zealand that warned of major price hikes on freight going through a privatised Port of Auckland.

A poll released by the Maritime Union on 11 October showed an overwhelmingly majority of Aucklanders wanted the Port of Auckland kept in public ownership.

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ACT-dominated Luxon Government would be a disaster for working people

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

The Maritime Union says a late shift in the polls indicates that New Zealand workers are becoming aware of the dangers of a change of Government and extreme right-wing policies. 

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison says the majority of New Zealanders are working people who need pro-worker policies.

“We are sounding the alarm that a Christopher Luxon Government would be dominated by the ACT Party and would wage war on workers.”

He says the destruction of Fair Pay Agreements and re-introduction of 90 Day Trials would push down wages and conditions for New Zealand’s most undervalued essential workers.

Even more extreme ACT policies include a three-year freeze on rises in the minimum wage and attacks on sick leave entitlements would plunge thousands into financial hardship and poverty.

“Christopher Luxon is out of touch with the struggles of the working class of Aotearoa New Zealand. He does not understand the struggles of everyday people. He will give ACT whatever they want to get the numbers he needs.”

“Tax cuts for mega landlords, cuts to public services, and making life harder for workers – this is not a positive vision and will make our society less fair, less successful and less caring.”

Mr Harrison says the latest analysis of National Party tax policy shows any benefits would largely flow to the already wealthy, not the supposed squeezed middle.

“The message from the Maritime Union to our members and all workers and their whanau is to use your vote to build a better future for yourself.”

Mr Harrison says the National–ACT combo also have a backward and outmoded approach to transport policy.

“It is clear that there needs to be a mode shift to resilient and low emission modes like coastal shipping but National–ACT have no solutions for a rapidly changing world.”

In contrast, Mr Harrison says substantial progress in the ports and shipping sector in the last term needs to be continued under a Labour-led Government.

He says three key successes of the current Government have been in building coastal shipping capability, improving health and safety through the Ports Health and Safety Leadership Group, and laying the foundations for improved conditions in the industry through Fair Pay Agreements.

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Aucklanders show strong opposition to port sale in new poll

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

The Maritime Union has released a new poll that shows an overwhelming majority of Aucklanders support keeping the Port of Auckland in public ownership.

Polling was carried out by Talbot Mills from 4–9 October 2023 on a sample of 517 Aucklanders.

In answer to the question “Do you think Aucklanders should continue to own and profit from the Auckland Port?”, 63% of respondents answered yes, 7% answered no and 30% were unsure.

In answer to the question “Mayor Wayne Brown has suggested selling the Auckland Port to overseas investors. Do you support or oppose the sale of the Port?”, 64% were opposed to the sale, 15% were in support and 21% were unsure.

Maritime Union Auckland Branch Local 13 Secretary Russell Mayn says the poll confirms Aucklanders are opposed to privatisation of the Ports of Auckland by an overwhelming majority.

The polling follows the September 2023 release of a report commissioned by the Maritime Union that detailed how port privatisation in Australia had led to major increases in port charges as private owners sought to recoup their investment.

Mr Mayn says there has been no convincing argument for port privatisation and there is no mandate for a sell off.

“This is an asset that is immensely important to Auckland’s economy and to New Zealand’s supply chain. The Mayor of Auckland needs to share the details of his privatisation plan and party leaders need to tell voters where they stand on this risky and reckless privatisation proposal.”

He says the Mayor of Auckland has a difficult job in dealing with the financial pressures on Auckland City, but the clear message is Port privatisation is not the answer.

“As the Mayor has acknowledged, the Port of Auckland is currently making good returns for Aucklanders.”

Mr Mayn says the Maritime Union is calling on Auckland Councillors who have not yet stated their position on port privatisation to confirm their views in the interests of transparency.

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Substantial progress for transport under the Labour-led Government

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

The Maritime Union says substantial progress in the ports and shipping sector in the last term needs to be continued under a Labour-led Government.

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison says three key successes of the current Government have been in building coastal shipping capability, improving health and safety through the Ports Health and Safety Leadership Group, and laying the foundations for improved conditions in the industry through Fair Pay Agreements.

He says the interests of the transport industry are wider than shareholder profit, and the needs of workers and the environment need to be prioritized.

Mr Harrison says the $30 million coastal shipping fund has seen new New Zealand flagged vessels come onto the coast after years of decline.

He says following the pandemic disruption, the transport industry now acknowledges the need for a vibrant coastal shipping sector.

“Coastal shipping is a low emission mode and provides resilience in the face of the extreme weather events that are already disrupting land transport links.”

He says the development of the Port Health and Safety Leadership Group led by Maritime New Zealand and implemented by the Government has been a game changer.

“The maritime industry has had a terrible rate of deaths and injuries in recent years, and this is now changing as the industry works together under the new system.”

Mr Harrison says Fair Pay Agreements (FPAs) are a great step forward for undervalued workers.

“Even employers now acknowledge the low wage casualization model has been a failure and we have to provide decent wages and conditions for all workers.”

He says workers make up the majority of voters and need to focus on real issues and the facts of what was in the interests of working-class people.

“Past promises of tax cuts have always benefited the wealthy section of the population – they do not benefit the majority of workers who need better wages and conditions and public services.”

Mr Harrison says Labour and the Greens have demonstrated a clear commitment in Government to the interests of workers and a sustainable and resilient transport industry.