The S&P/NZX 50 Index was 62.33 points or 0.46% higher at 13,514.09.
Shares in Port of Tauranga, which owns 50% of Northport, rose 2% after the news.
The economy and NZ industry would be beneficiaries.
The RBNZ has no intention of extending the deadline for submissions beyond Oct 3.
The local bourse has already lost four this year.
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