DP World Limited (UNQ-ARE:DPW) is looking at a takeover of Auckland's ailing port business, which the Super City's new mayor opposes. Senior executives from DP World could be in Auckland as early as next week for secret talks on securing a lease to run Ports of Auckland Limited. This would be under the operator company/property company - "opco/propco" - model that would see ratepayers continue to own the CBD-based port land and DP World securing a long-term lease to run the port business.

David Lewis, a principal with the government relations agency Thomson Lewis, said the agency is "doing a bit of work" with DP World, prompted by a Herald article about leasing out Auckland's port operations. He declined to comment further about the work the agency is doing for DP World. A second source said meetings have been scheduled next week in Auckland for senior executives from DP World, including Asia Pacific & Australasia Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Glen Hilton, his business development manager Sean Barrett and senior Vice President for finance and business development Anil Mohta.

The source said the executives plan to meet with the NZ Super Fund, Ports of Auckland, and officers at Auckland Council, which owns the port company and its CBD-based waterfront land.