Published: Friday, 19 June 2026

MidlandPort is marking a decade of strong growth, as Lyttelton Port Company continues to invest in a more efficient South Island supply chain and to support ongoing growth in Christchurch and industrial expansion in Rolleston.

LPC Chief Customer and Supply Chain Officer Simon Munt said MidlandPort is doing what LPC set out to achieve.

“MidlandPort was built to deliver a better freight solution for customers and the region.”

“It gives customers a more efficient and reliable way to move freight, and it is helping to support growth across Christchurch and into Rolleston.”

Since opening in June 2016, MidlandPort has grown from a single-shift, six-person operation into a high-performing inland port handling 37 train movements a week, with 24 staff and an expanded equipment fleet.

Growth has been driven by customer demand, industrial expansion in Rolleston, and a close partnership with KiwiRail. A move to extended hours in 2018 increased capacity and flexibility as volumes have continued to rise.

MidlandPort is central to LPC’s strategy to move more freight by rail and to support balanced import and export flows. Rail accounts for 21% of containers arriving at Lyttelton Port.

Ongoing investment has strengthened connections with the adjacent warehouses and cool stores, improving the flow of freight across the supply chain.

This growth aligns with LPC’s wider port expansion programme, including the proposed expansion of berth capacity at Lyttelton to support increasing trade volumes.

Munt said the focus is now on scaling that model.

“We are taking advantage of two-way trade, lifting the share of freight moved by rail, and taking more trucks off the road. That is better for our customers, better for the network, and better for the environment.”

MidlandPort remains focused on safe, reliable and efficient operations as it continues to grow.