Port ownership up for debate amid regional council reforms

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council has already agreed to sell down its stake in the Port of Tauranga. (Image: Supplied)

Wed, 26 Nov 2025

The ownership of ports and other regional council assets could be up for debate in the coming years, as the Government plots major reform of local government.Proposed reforms of regional councils, made public by Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Local Government Minister Simon Watts on Tuesday, include removing regional councillors and giving local mayors control of both regional council services and a regional reorganisation process, which could prompt council amalgamation and the change of ownership of council-held infrastructure. ...

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