The people of Onehunga are getting their wharf back.

Ports of Auckland is in the final phase of relocating operations at the Port of Onehunga, to the main port on the Waitemata Harbour.

Onehunga has been deemed unsuitable for freight purposes, and the council's property development arm, Punuku Development Auckland, now has the chance to buy the land back.

Maungakiekie-Tamaki councillor Denise Krum says Punuku not only needs to buy the land, but keep up momentum too.

"Without that confirmation from Panuku we're probably still just hoping and dreaming," Krum said.

Krum is hoping the wharf will go from a bunch of cement tanks, to a hotspot to rival Wynyard Quarter.

"It's time for something else to be visible, namely a real hustle-bustle awesome wharf with music and people and fishing boats and kids. The future is really bright."