Covid restrictions and city lockdowns saw Auckland Council shelve a number of capital investments, increase its staff costs and cut into event and transport earnings.
The impact of surging covid caseloads is starting to bite at ports and infrastructure projects, with Ports of Auckland reeling from absenteeism.
Former Port of Tauranga chief executive Mark Cairns handed a hospital pass to his successor Leonard Sampson last July, in the form of the port's proposed $68m terminal extension.
The country's second-largest port has improved its performance on the back of increased container volumes and more vehicle arrivals.