After concluding with the investigations on the incidents, Maritime NZ has filed charges in relation to two fatal incidents at ports last April.
According to Maritime New Zealand, investigations started last April after the deaths of Atiroa Tuaiti at the Ports of Auckland on 19 April, 2022 and Donald Grant at the Port of Lyttelton on 25 April, just a few days later.
On the case of Atiroa Tuaiti’s death, Maritime NZ has filed one charge against Wallace Investments (the stevedoring company). It is facing a charge under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA). Atiroa Tuaiti died after being crushed under a container while working on a docked container ship.
Maritime NZ has filed two HSWA charges against Lyttelton Port Company in relation to the death of Donald Grant on 25 April 2022. Grant died after he was struck by coal which was being loaded into a hatch of a vessel.
I want to offer our sincere condolences to the families of both Mr Tuaiti and Mr Grant. Everyone deserves to go home safely from work each day
… stated Kirstie Hewlett, Director, on behalf of Maritime NZ
In addition to Maritime NZ prosecutions, the Minister of Transport, Hon Michael Wood, requested that the Port Health and Safety Leadership Group provide him with advice on a collective set of actions, including regulatory standards, to address harm on New Zealand ports. This resulted in the development of the Ports Sector Insights Picture and Action Plan.
The work the leadership group has undertaken demonstrates port safety is a priority in New Zealand. Since the Action Plan was developed, a range of actions are well underway to improve port safety
… commented Kirstie Hewlett
