Ports as hubs?

Sydney Morning Herald notes an NZIER report calling for greater commercial emphasis at our larger ports. The report is also urging the government to make it easier for the smaller ports to exit the business. Here's New Zealand's biggest to smallest ports, by gross tonnes imported:

• Whangarei - 1,551,435
• Auckland - 2,796,110
• Tauranga - 6,594,267
• Taharoa - 583,500
• Gisborne - 805,698
• New Plymouth - 3,057,470
• Napier - 2,004,555
• Wellington - 789,277
• Nelson - 1,180,064
• Picton - 281,457
• Christchurch (Lyttelton) - 3,216,969
• Timaru - 314,179
• Dunedin (Port Chalmers) - 1,598,753
• Invercargill (Bluff) - 553,211