The country's biggest port is buying land in Hamilton for a new freight hub.
Ports of Auckland has signed a conditional agreement to purchase 33ha of land just north of the city in Horotui.
The company says the hub is a central part of its supply chain strategy, as it is one of New Zealand's fastest growing areas and a major freight generator.
It says there will be significant investment in the site over a number of years, and the first step will be establishing road and rail connections.