An Auckland business leader believes Auckland's port boss is being bullied out of a job.

Ports of Auckland chief executive Tony Gibson is resigning next month, saying he has recently had persistent and sometimes personal attacks on him.

Gibson has been under scrutiny after a report which found systemic problems with health and safety under his watch.

Auckland Airport boss Adrian Littlewood has also stepped down from his role.

Auckland Business Chamber chief executive Michael Barnett told Mike Hosking Gibson's departure is a scalp for some.

"But to my mind, I'd be ashamed to think that we still have parts of either a political system or parts of society who thinks coring a scalp is a good idea for Auckland."

Barnett says politicians overstepped the mark and got personal.

"The comments that I've made are really calling out politicians who have used their positions of power to publicly humiliate him and offend him," he says.

"Today we need to offer an environment where we can maintain dignity and respect, and employment is not a blood sport and it's been played like that over the last few months.

"The council, they have every right to question the performance and the way the port is being operated. They do not have the right to publicly humiliate him."