In September 1989, the New Zealand Business Roundtable (NZBR) and Federated Farmers of New Zealand Inc. (FFNZ) published a comprehensive analysis of ports and shipping reform. That report:

• Documented the changes which already occurred in response to government policy announcements since the mid 1980;
• Assessed the likely course of events following the introduction of the new waterfront employment arrangements which were due to take effect on 1 October 1989; and
• Outlined a range of further reform measures which would be necessary to maximise the benefits for the New Zealand economy.