Northport Chief Executive Jon Moore is to retire in June next year after 19 years in the role. A maritime sector veteran, Mr Moore (68) led the port’s evolution from a provincial log-port to a regional container port enhancing economic growth and supply chain resilience in Northland and the Upper North Island.

He drove the development in 2017 of Northport’s ‘Vision for Growth’, a comprehensive plan for a 520-metre berth extension and 17.9-hectare dedicated container handling, storage and logistics facility, consenting for part of which is currently before the Environment Court. The plan also includes a shipyard and floating dry-dock at Northport’s western end, a proposal which the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is now managing.

Mr Moore began his career in 1975 as a cadet deck officer in the British Merchant Navy. This was followed by various shore-based maritime roles, from port operations superintendent in Papua New Guinea through to marine consultancy and surveying with Houston, Texas-based Noble, Denton & Associates, specialising in transportation and installation of mobile offshore drilling units and offshore fixed structures.

He is a respected member of the New Zealand Ports Health and Safety Leadership Group, and of the steering group behind the Port and Harbour Marine Safety Code.

Northport Group Limited chair Julia Hoare thanked Mr Moore for his leadership and dedication to Northport over his tenure.

“During Jon’s time at the helm Northport has experienced tremendous growth with remarkably few growing pains,” Ms Hoare said.

“It has evolved from a construction site to one the country’s most efficient maritime facilities, now with some of the greatest potential of any port in the country. A lot of this is down to his vision, determination and leadership, which is why he leaves with our thanks and our congratulations for a job well done.

“We are also grateful to Jon for his ongoing support in relation to the integration of the Northport and Marsden Maritime Holdings businesses.”

Mr Moore joined Northport in 2007 from the Port of Freemantle, where he was deputy harbourmaster and operations manager. Since then the port has expanded its break-bulk storage and handling capability significantly. It has also diversified into containerisation, opening up a range of additional freight options for importers and exporters both in Northland and north Auckland.

In 2017 Northport launched a public discussion about the potential future size and shape of the port. It published its ‘Vision for Growth’ and began the process of seeking feedback from its communities, customers and suppliers about what role they saw Northport playing in the future of Northland. This led to the application in 2022 for resource consent for the proposal currently before the Environment Court. 

“It has been a privilege to have been able to drive Northport’s ongoing construction and diverse business strategy with the support and confidence of the board, and enabled by an excellent team,” Mr Moore said.

“With its twin assets of the port and its extensive land and infrastructure holdings at Marsden Point, Northport Group Limited is in a great position to generate significant economic growth across the region by supporting the wider Upper North Island freight task.”

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About Northport

Northport, situated at Marsden Point at the mouth of Whangarei Harbour, is New Zealand’s northernmost deep-water port. It is a flexible facility catering for large, multi-purpose vessels and full cargo handling facilities are available from its 570-metre linear berth.

Logs, woodchip and processed timber for export comprise the bulk of cargo handled by the port, although it is also seeing growth in coastal and international container trade. Other export items include kiwifruit, dairy products and manufactured goods. Imports are an important part of Northport’s business and include fertiliser, gypsum, coal and animal feed.

Northport is a subsidiary of Northport Group Limited owned by Port of Tauranga, Northland Regional Council and the Ngāpuhi investment fund Tupu Tonu.