Ports of Auckland chief executive Tony Gibson has resigned.
Tony Gibson (file image). Photo: RNZ / Nick Munro
He will finish up at the end of June.
In a video message released today, Gibson said it was a "very hard decision to make".
"The reason for that is that for the last months, there has been a very public challenge with the spotlight on me and it has been damaging the reputation of our port and our people. And I love our people and it's not great for my and my family either."
Pressure has been mounting on Gibson for some time, with campaigners, unionists and a councillor hand delivering a letter last month calling for him to quit.
After three deaths linked to the port - two staff in work accidents, and a member of the public swimming in the harbour - the ports' owners Auckland Council commissioned an independent report into the ports' health and safety record and processes.
The report found Ports of Auckland had "systemic problems" in relation to critical health and safety risk management, and "significant improvement" was needed.
The Maritime Union said Gibson's resignation was the right outcome.
National Secretary Craig Harrison said from the point of view of union members at the Ports, Gibson's reign had been negative.
"As CEO Mr Gibson had engaged in an anti-union agenda, had failed to provide a safe workplace, and was responsible for an automation project that was now years behind schedule.
"No other port in New Zealand had seen such problems."
But Auckland Business Chamber chief executive Michael Barnett said the Port had "unnecessarily lost an internationally experienced and senior leader and I am ashamed to see that we still have parts of society who think scoring a scalp is good for Auckland".
He said the resignation was about political and union bullying.
"It's about people who expect their own people to be respected, listened to and fairly treated but have not reciprocated. They have failed in the delivery of empathy and wellbeing for one of their own."
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said Auckland councillors' questions of his management were appropriate, and not bullying.
"I would be negligent in my responsibility not to ask those questions. I don't think you can characterise that as bullying."