UPDATED: 2.54pm Auckland mayoral candidate John Palino has unveiled a grand plan to sell off the city's port, and move it out of town.

LISTEN: Leighton Smith's impromptu Ports of Auckland Mayoral debate

A working group is currently weighing up whether the port should be moved to Manukau Harbour, the Firth of Thames or Muriwai, or stay where it is.

But Mr Palino said he has his own ten-year plan for the port, which would involve selling the business without the land.

He told Leighton Smith he'll offer the business to Port of Tauranga or Whangarei's Northport, so the waterfront can be used for other purposes.

"We give them the ability to run that port for up to 10 years, but the deal would be that in 10 years the Port would have to be removed. Or 15 years - depending on how long it should take."

Phil Goff said the port does need to be moved but there's nowhere near enough research available to make a call yet on where it should go.

"How do we know whether North Port, Tauranga or Auckland are the best. What's the best configuration of those three ports to support the fastest growing area in New Zealand. We haven't had a study that's taken those things into account and they're surely vital."

And Victoria Crone said the city's actually moved on from Auckland's port - and the economy no longer relies on it.

"We must take a 50-100 year view of this port, and where it will serve us in that timeframe."