The former CEO of New Zealand’s Ports of Auckland (POAL) has been fined $110,000 (NZ$190,000) following the death of a stevedore in 2020.
This marks the first instance in New Zealand where a company’s top executive has been convicted and sentenced for failing to uphold safety duties. Ports of Auckland (POAL) was also charged and sentenced in late 2023 to a fine of $561,000.
The former Chief Executive, was facing two charges and was convicted of failing to fulfill his responsibility to exercise due diligence in ensuring that POAL met its obligations under health and safety laws. A lesser charge was dismissed.
Gibson had the knowledge, influence, resources and opportunity to address safety gaps and ensure that appropriate systems were in place at the port, but failed to do so.
…said Kirstie Hewlett, Director, Maritime NZ.
To remind, the Former Port of Auckland Chief Executive was found guilty after the stevedore’s death in August 2020. The stevedore was fatally injured when a container fell down and crushed him in an accident while loading containers on the MV Constantinos P ship berthed at the port.
