The Associate Minister of Transport Shane Jones says Auckland's port's days are numbered and the 'epic' $10 billion move to Northland should happen.
A government-commissioned working group has recommended the relocation, and says it's the most beneficial of all the options available.
Shane Jones told RNZ reporter Jordan Bond the current port arrangement at Waitemata Harbour has 'terrorised' the city and its balance sheet.
The recommended scenario would have the Port of Tauranga continuing its planned development, and cruise liners would still dock at Auckland.
The group is working on a final report.
