An inland port planned for land near Ruakura southeast of Hamilton is expected to boost business for the Port of Tauranga, says Tainui Group Holdings Ltd chief executive officer Mike Pohio.
About 500 hectares of land, with about 300ha 'developable', is currently in the process of being transferred from the Waikato District Council to the Hamilton City Council.

The Port of Tauranga is keen on more inland cargo hubs.

The area is crossed by the direct rail line to Tauranga and the future four lane Hamilton expressway.
The expressway which will take State Highway 1 along the eastern side of the city is regarded by the government as a road of national significance and is to be built by 2018. Mike expects the inland port could begin operating in five years.
Tainui are planning a modern industrial and commercial precinct for the site that Mike says will attract existing Port of Tauranga customers from South Auckland.
"It will be some years away, but what we are doing is broadcasting our intentions, set up the logistics so people can start incorporating it in their strategic planning.
"In terms of timeline we are looking 40-50 years out. When you have got 300 hectares, that is going to take a lot of time to be developed."

The Port of Tauranga has for 11 years successfully operated MetroPort at South Auckland. The facility offers custom bonded areas, and is MAF approved for on-site quarantine.
It means import containers can be railed to MetroPort from Tauranga before undergoing clearances, saving time. Export containers can be delivered to MetroPort, from where the Port of Tauranga delivers them shipside.
"Any viable hubbing of cargo is a good thing for New Zealand's supply chains," says Port of Tauranga chief executive Mark Cairns.
"We have been looking at further inland hubs for a number of years following the commercial success of our MetroPort Auckland inland port."