Port Unions Welcome Rejection Of Lyttelton Port Lease ProposalThe Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) and the Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) have welcomed Christchurch City Holdings Limited’s (CCHL) decision announced today to reject the Tōnui Consortium’s unsolicited proposal to lease operations at Lyttelton Port Company (LPC). The joint port unions noted the Christchurch City Council’s 2026/2027 Letter of Expectation to CCHL, which explicitly opposes leasing the port and supports retaining a directly employed workforce. MUNZ Lyttelton Branch Secretary Gerard Loader says the decision is a critical win for workers and the broader community who rely on a publicly owned port. RMTU Lyttelton Branch Secretary Mark Wilson says the joint port unions cannot ignore ongoing issues surrounding LPC’s board and management. Both unions say that declining the lease proposal is only a first step.