Our Community

Te Wairepo

The need for stormwater management within the Superhub has provided the opportunity to create Te Wairepo, a 11.7ha wetland reserve located near the inland port. This native vegetation and walkway paradise with 1.5 million plants and shrubs, information boards, and multiple tracks is designed as a public space for our community to enjoy. Te Wairepo is scheduled to open in 2024. You can read more about Te Wairepo here Green Spaces | Ruakura Superhub

Jobs

Apart from employment at the port, Ruakura Superhub tenants are creating hundreds of job opportunities for locals ranging from entry level to management positions.

Engaging with our community

We value the opportunity to engage with our iwi, Waikato-Tainui, and neighbouring residents:

Ruakura Tangata Whenua Working Group
Five hapuu (sub-tribes) of the Waikato iwi have ancient and historical interests in the Ruakura area. We maintain close contact with them via regular hui with the Tangata Whenua Working Group to share information and seek guidance as required.
Ruakura Community Liaison Committee
This committee of local residents and port representatives enables us to maintain contact with our neighbours and respond directly to any queries that may arise. Discussions include planting plans and port operational matters. We appreciate the positive nature of the relationship that has been built.

Minimising operational impact

Civil works to build stage one of the inland port and its ongoing operation require management of potential impacts on neighbouring properties, including dust and noise.

Dust management
The completion of stage one means that dust is no longer being created onsite. We are proud of the steps taken to ensure dust has been minimised.
Noise management
An 800m timber wall standing at 4.5m in height has been constructed along the length of the inland port to provide acoustic screening of noise created by trains entering and leaving the port.
Protecting the environment
Tainui Group Holdings and Port of Tauranga are committed to protecting the integrity and diversity of our environment. Our policies and procedures seek to prevent biosecurity incursions, avoid excess noise, protect air and water quality, prevent spills, reduce energy consumption, recycle waste and manage any other risks. A link to Port of Tauranga’s Environmental Policy is here

Sustainability

The ability for importers and exporters to switch from truck to rail transport is forecast to provide significant decarbonisation benefits, with carbon emissions estimated to reduce by 600 tonnes per year when the port is operating at full capacity. Read more here Sustainability | Ruakura Superhub.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will jobs be available?

Yes. The number of staff and machinery operating at the inland port will be driven by the number of containers transiting through. As container volumes grow, so too will staff and machinery. Ultimately, our 30-year vision, is that the full 30ha of the port whenua will be developed, and we’ll be handling similar container volumes to what Ports of Auckland and Port of Tauranga are doing currently. This means we will likely need to employ some form of automation, such as automated stacking cranes, in order to process the high volumes efficiently and effectively.
How do I apply for a job?

If you would like to enquire about career opportunities or current job vacancies, or you would like to register for our jobs database please click here.

Otherwise keep an eye out for current job openings here
Who is the port operator?

The inland port is a joint venture between Tainui Group Holdings and Port of Tauranga. Quality Marshalling, which is a specialist cargo handling services company, has been appointed to manage port operations. It is a 100% owned subsidiary of the Port of Tauranga.
What permanent structures will be at the inland port?

Initially the permanent structures are the perimeter fence, lighting towers, Gatehouse, office amenities, refrigerated container connect points, and noise wall. But when the full port site (30ha) is developed out, it is likely we will have a more permanent office building.
If imports are received at the inland port does that mean Customs and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will be involved?

Yes. Ruakura Inland Port is certified as a MPI Transitional Facility and Customs Controlled Area.

Initially, they will both base their operations from Tauranga or Auckland, inspecting most containers at the respective seaport. However, once our container volumes grow to a sufficient scale, they are likely to establish staff and facilities at Ruakura. We’re fortunate to have Port of Tauranga as our JV partner in the inland port because we’re able to benefit from their expertise and the relationships they have with these agencies.
Will the number of trains using the East Coast Main Trunk line increase once the inland port opens?

Initially, no – the Inland Port will be better utilising the same MetroPort trains which use the ECMT currently, travelling between POT and MetroPort in Auckland.

Trains will stop at Ruakura as required to load/unload containers at Ruakura Inland Port. In an estimated five years or so, some dedicated ‘point to point’ trains may start replacing some of the Metroport trains but this won’t necessarily generate significantly more train services as it will be mostly replacing existing services.

Further out, in the longer term there is a likelihood of increased container volumes and numbers of trains.

Given the projected population growth within and across the Golden Triangle, it is likely we will see more rail movement across our rail infrastructure – both for freight and passengers in the long term.
Can we expect bigger/longer trains to be passing through Hamilton?

No. The MetroPort trains are the longest container trains in NZ and they are the maximum length feasible on the current KiwiRail network
How is noise being managed at the inland port?

The port is subject to a wide range of operating conditions set under resource consent approvals. Noise level limits apply to both day and nighttime operations. The 800m noise wall that has been constructed along the rail boundary will absorb the majority of any noise.
I would like to raise an issue. Who do I contact?

For general enquiries, or complaints please click here

Te Wairepo

Jobs

Engaging with our community

Minimising operational impact

Sustainability

Frequently Asked Questions

Will jobs be available?

How do I apply for a job?

Who is the port operator?

What permanent structures will be at the inland port?

If imports are received at the inland port does that mean Customs and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will be involved?

Will the number of trains using the East Coast Main Trunk line increase once the inland port opens?

Can we expect bigger/longer trains to be passing through Hamilton?

How is noise being managed at the inland port?

I would like to raise an issue. Who do I contact?