John Cronin BOP Regional Council Chairman www.boprc.govt.nz

The Port of Tauranga is in a great position to handle future demand and growth for freight and to respond to government's objectives for international freight systems.

I'm reassured to read a recent study on upper North Island ports that highlights how the Port has room to grow – by accommodating a projected growth in shipping and, in the future, it will be able to take larger ships.

This fits really well with the Government's response this week to the Productivity Commission's report on international freight transport services, in particular the recommendation to lift the quality of infrastructure planning and coordination.

I'm heartened to realise, yet again, how well regarded the Port is and how well it is run.

I'm also thankful the regional council had the foresight 20 years ago to set up Quayside Holdings Ltd to manage its investments, including a nearly 55 percent shareholding in the Port.

While the Port of Tauranga is based in the Western Bay, it's important that we recognise how the whole region contributes to the Port's success.

Without the regional supply chain feeding goods to the Port from across the region we wouldn't need a port like we have.

It's important that while the Port is well placed to cater for future growth, further work is carried out to ensure infrastructure, such as the roading network and rail system, can cope. The Port is an asset for the whole Bay of Plenty.