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National has promised that a modern dry dock will be built in Whangārei, although the private sector will pay most of the bill.
Party leader Judith Collins made the announcement in Whangārei on Thursday, promising a modern, fit-for-purpose dry dock and associated infrastructure in Northport, creating 400 jobs.
The project would cost $ 300 million, including $ 100 million for the floating dry dock and $ 200 million for supporting infrastructure and land reclamation.
Northport / supplied
The promised dry dock will be built at the NorthPort of Whangārei. (File photo)
National will seek capital from the private sector to invest in the dry dock and its promised national infrastructure bank could also provide investment.
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A dry dock allows water to drain and a ship to rest on a dry platform so that it can be repaired.
The national infrastructure bank would also negotiate a basic 15-year contract for major government clients to use the dry dock, such as the New Zealand Navy, Niwa and Interislander ferries.
Collins said infrastructure like this will lay the foundation for improving New Zealand’s long-term productivity.
The dry dock was one of five major infrastructure projects that the three Northland mayors campaigned for.
Whangarei’s MP, National’s Dr. Shane Reti, said it was a great victory.
“[It] it will create valuable jobs that will grow our economy. It is estimated to create 400 high paying permanent jobs and 200 additional jobs over the two to three year construction period, ”he said.
“The marine dry dock will provide a much-needed injection that will contribute to the long-term prosperity of the region and the rest of the country.”
Whangārei was chosen as the site, over contenders like Picton, because it has an available workforce, is close to Auckland’s main naval base in Devonport, is New Zealand’s deepest natural harbor, and has acres of undeveloped land.
