Port of Tauranga faces $475 million claim, stalling critical expansion plans

Port of Tauranga (POT.NZ) faces a major roadblock in its Stella Passage expansion. The Ngāti Kuku hapū lodged legal submissions demanding between NZ$335 million and NZ$475 million. This compensation covers cultural impacts over a 35-year period.

The demand stalls a mitigation agreement necessary for the port's fast-track resource consent. Existing container berths currently operate at maximum capacity. These delays threaten critical infrastructure and New Zealand’s broader export supply chains.

Port of Tauranga shares fell 0.48% on May 22. The stock closed at NZ$8.30.