About Us

Port Taranaki is centrally located on the west coast of the North Island and is the only deep water seaport on New Zealand's western seaboard.

The port was established in 1875. In 1881 work on a breakwater began to provide safe anchorage from the Tasman Sea. Port Taranaki is now well sheltered by two breakwaters which extend from either end of a naturally curved bay.

Port Taranaki Key Facts

• Nine fully serviced berths
• Only deep water port on NZ's western seaboard
• Capable of handling a diversity of cargoes
• Special expertise in 'heavy lift' operations
• Full range of services available

Port Taranaki offers nine fully serviced berths for a wide variety of cargoes and vessels. The maximum port draft is 12.5m, and for vessels in excess of 10m Dynamic Under Keel Clearance (DUKC) must be used.

Since 1881 the port has grown apace with its province and hinterlands and today handles large volumes of cargoes, principally those of the farming, engineering and petrochemical industries. Additionally the port is a servicing base for sea transport and related industries and has, since the beginnings of major offshore and onshore oil exploration in the 1960s, been a provider of related maritime, support and heavy lift services.

Port Taranaki has the ability to handle a wide diversity of cargoes

• All forms of bulk products (liquid and dry)
• Specialist experience in the handling of heavy lift and project cargoes.
• All wharves are supported by covered and open storage areas.

Port Taranaki is a modern port which handles a diversity of cargoes and offers a full range of providoring, stevedoring, ship agency and government border protection services.

An unusual feature of the port is that it has a beach within its breakwaters adjacent to its operational area. The popularity of Ngamotu Beach is testament to Port Taranaki's commitment to safe working practices and regard for the environment.