It’s entirely up to the Auckland Council if it wants to move its money-spinning, dividend-paying, economic driver from prime waterfront land and build what’s likely to be a loss-making but iconic stadium there instead. On the surface it's a tempting deal - swap Eden Park for an international showcase sunk into the sea at Bledisloe Wharf. But the big sticking point is the Ports of Auckland.
This month POAL reported a 27 percent lift in net profit to $76.8 million. Volumes and revenue were also up. It paid Auckland Council a dividend of $51.1m, about the same as it did last year. Earlier this year the council endorsed the port's 30-year master plan which looks at how it will cope with the city's rapid growth. It has 700 employees and port-related industries in Auckland keep an estimated 160,000 people in work.
