Damning report hits Auckland port

But board stands by its chief executive

Aunion is calling for Ports of Auckland chief executive Tony Gibson to go following a damning report that found systemic problems with health and safety under his watch.

In a three-year period, two port workers lost their lives in wharf accidents and a speeding pilot boat accidentally struck and killed an ocean swimmer.

Gibson and port chairman Bill Osborne yesterday accepted the report findings and accepted they had not being do enough to keep staff safe.

“I now expect Ports of Auckland to implement these recommendations without delay and more importantly to hold management to account on monitoring and compliance,” Osborne said.

Maritime Union national secretary

Craig Harrison said the independent report by Construction Health and Safety New Zealand (CHASNZ) confirmed everything the union has said about the failure of port management to keep staff safe over several years.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Gibson said he has no plans to resign, saying his focus is making sure the wrongs that have been done are put right.

He would stay in the job, which he has held for a decade, as long as the board has faith in him.

Osborne said the board had confidence in Gibson and senior management to follow report recommendations.

He said there are two broad themes that stand out in the report that need addressing – making improvements t to ensure work is carried out safely, and transforming company culture to create a strong safety culture.

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said the question of confidence in Gibson was a matter for the board.

Auckland Council owns 100 per cent of the port company but under the Port Companies Act does not have oversight of operational matters at Ports of Auckland.

Osborne and Gibson said the port company had to face the difficult truth of poor relations with the Maritime Union, which had been a barrier to improving safety.

However, Gibson singled out the union and other people for trying to undermine an automation project at the port.

Harrison said any suggestions in the report that poor relationships between union members and port management were partly responsible for the failures to improve health and safety were wrong.

Seven left-leaning councillors added their voice to criticism of behaviour at the port, saying the report is a reflection of unacceptable health and safety practices. “The reviewers make a number of recommendations to improve health and safety at the Ports, including new requirements for the Ports chief executive to prioritise safety over productivity and profitability, improve trust and communication between management and staff, and for a new health and safety manager to report directly to the chief executive and the Board,” Goff said.

The inquiry was led by CHASNZ chairman Roger Mcrae and funded by the port company. The port has also been under fire this year for delays in processing cargo.