The idea of relocating Ports of Auckland is being labelled a win-win for Northland and the City of Sails.

A working group has recommended moving the port's operations to Northport in Whangarei, in a report commissioned by Cabinet last year.

Working group chair Wayne Brown told Mike Yardley it makes sense to move it out of Auckland.

He says it would free up incredibly valuable land and redirect goods away from an already congested city.

"It's a lot of money but it's by far the best option there is.

"By keeping it where it is expensive, and digging a new port at Thames probably wouldn't get resource consent."

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