Port of Auckland's pushing back against criticism of its move to raise fees. 

The port's increasing peak time fees from $130 per container to $180 next year, and $350 the following year. 

Transporting New Zealand Chief Executive Dom Kalasih says it's one of several cost pressures facing businesses, alongside rising fuel excise taxes and soon-to-be-introduced congestion charges. 

Port boss Roger Gray told Mike Hosking the fees are fair and Kalasih should come visit the port to understand why. 

He says he's never met Kalasih, who's never accepted invitations to visit to the port. 

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