A commercial dry dock, fuel pipeline, and long-awaited rail link are setting Marsden Point up to become one of New Zealand’s top trade and energy hubs, and that matters for Coasties too.

Big moves are happening just north of the Hibiscus Coast.

Rail Minister Winston Peters and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones say Marsden Point is becoming a “powerhouse” for jobs, trade, and manufacturing.

A refurbished tank, part of a Channel Infrastructure and Z Energy partnership, will soon supply jet fuel to Auckland Airport through the pipeline from Marsden Point to Wiri.

A dry dock facility at Northport is also on the horizon.

The Government is close to confirming a commercial provider for the project, which will be partially funded by the Regional Infrastructure Fund.

The dry dock would allow large ships to be serviced locally, something New Zealand currently lacks.

KiwiRail will also open up design data for the Marsden Point Rail Link, enabling commercial discussions to help fund and build the line.

Minister Jones says the area is shaping up to include sustainable aviation fuel production, a bitumen import terminal, a diesel peaker, and a biorefinery.

Better transport links, stronger regional freight options, and more job opportunities could ripple down to the Hibiscus Coast.

As Northport and Marsden Point grow, the entire upper North Island stands to benefit.

A proposal is also going to Cabinet soon on special economic zones (SEZs), which could offer tax breaks and streamlined rules to attract even more investment.

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