A major logistics centre and commercial-industrial complex has opened in a suburb of Hamilton.
The Ruakura Superhub, which will cover an area of 490 ha when fully complete, has been in the planning process for 16 years.
The initial stage of the project, which opened earlier this month, includes an “inland port” that connects the East Coast Main Trunk rail line with a dedicated interchange on the recently opened Waikato Expressway. The first stage also includes industrial space and a 10 ha wetland.
Future plans for the full complex include the construction of major industrial, commercial and retail areas.
The project is a joint venture between Waikato-Tainui iwi (through their commercial arm Tainui Group Holdings) and Hamilton City Council.
Tainui Group Holdings Chair Hinerangi Raumati-Tu’ua said the superhub ensures the economic future of the Waikato-Tainui iwi and the Waikato region.
“Ruakura Superhub is a super-sized project that will continue to create the sustainable economic benefits that go towards funding important social development, cultural, and environmental programmes for current and future generations of Waikato-Tainui.
“The benefits of the superhub also go much wider, and the economies of our city, region and nation will all feel the positive impacts of what we are building here. Commerce, jobs, efficiencies, homes, and environmental gains will all come from – in fact are already coming from – Ruakura Superhub.”
The “inland port” has an initial capacity of up to 60,000 container movements per year. This is set to grow to 1 million movements per year when the complex is fully developed.
Raumati-Tu’ua said that significant effort has gone into making the complex as sustainable as possible. The increased rail usage is predicted to eliminate 65,000 truck journeys per year from roads when the superhub is fully operating. One million native plants are currently being cultivated and will be planted in the 10 ha wetlands.
Confirmed tenants currently include international companies Kmart and Maersk, along with domestic businesses Big Chill, PBT and Waitomo Group.
The New Zealand Government invested $56 million in the project with additional investment from Hamilton City Council and Tainui Group Holdings.
