Ports of Auckland halts operations for cyclone 

Ports of Auckland has paused its operations as safety precaution while Cyclone Gabrielle hits the country. 

It suspended operations from 3pm on Sunday and says this will continue through to 7am Wednesday. However, it will start limited operations today to prepare for a full restart tomorrow. 

“The worst of Cyclone Gabrielle has now passed Auckland. High wind continues to be a factor this morning but will likely reduce later today.

“The port infrastructure has held up well, but the team at Ports of Auckland will be busy over the next few weeks as we recover from the lost operational time,” the port says. 

“The safety of our people and our infrastructure are our priorities … A skeleton emergency crew will remain onsite. All non-operational staff who can work from home have been asked to do so. 

“We usually have our heavy weather protocols in place for storms but as this has the potential to be a severe weather event we know suspending operations is the best and safest choice for our people and their whānau. 

Maritime Union of New Zealand national secretary Craig Harrison says it was good Ports of Auckland suspended operations as Cyclone Gabrielle moved into the region. 

He says other ports like Tauranga and Northport should follow the same approach.

High winds, wave movements and poor visibility were all risks at ports in bad weather conditions, he says. 

“It was also important that container stacks were secured and work stopped at container depots and inland freight hubs in high winds.”

Harrison says the important role of Ports of Auckland for the city was now obvious as road and rail links in the region had been knocked out in the previous floods.

“What we have seen is the vulnerability of supply chains around the northern region, which reinforces the need for an accessible and resilient port in Auckland.”

*This story was updated on February 14.