20 Apr 2022

Workplace Minister to consider national inquiry after port death

From Checkpoint, 5:33 pm on 20 April 2022

The father of a young stevedore who fell to his death yesterday was also working on site when his son was killed.

Twenty-six-year-old Atiroa Tuaiti, a father himself, is believed to have been lashing or securing containers on the Singaporean flagged vessel at Ports of Auckland yesterday.

He was employed by the private company, Wallace Investments. At least two investigations have been launched.

But the Maritime Union says a disproportionate number of serious injuries and deaths in the port industry warrants a national inquiry.

Last year the Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Wood put Ports of Auckland on notice after three deaths - including two crushings and a boat accident.

Wood is not ruling out a national inquiry into ports. He told Checkpoint he wants a formal proposal from the union and he will "seriously consider" what it says. 

"We need to make sure that we don't duplicate things and just have a report for the sake of being seen to do something."