Christchurch campaign group Keep Our Assets has welcomed the rejection of a proposal for a DP World-backed consortium to take a majority interest in a long term lease of Lyttelton Port’s operations.

Christchurch City Holdings Limited (CCHL) confirmed on Thursday it would not progress the unsolicited proposal from the Tōnui Consortium, which represents DP World, Ngāti Wheke, Ngāi Tūāhuriri and Te Taumutu.

Keep Our Assets, known as KOA, described the decision as a victory for public ownership and democratic accountability.

“This is a victory for common sense,” the group said.

“Lyttelton Port is a vital strategic asset for Christchurch, Canterbury, the South Island and, indeed, the whole country.”

KOA said the port should remain under public ownership and control, with accountability maintained through the elected Christchurch City Council.

The group also congratulated port unions and community organisations which had campaigned against the proposal.

KOA had strongly opposed the involvement of DP World, which is owned by the Dubai Government, arguing an overseas port operator should not gain access to Lyttelton Port’s future revenue.

The group said the decision showed Christchurch residents continued to value public ownership of the city’s strategic assets.

“Time and again the people of Christchurch have made it very clear that they want the city’s publicly owned assets to remain exactly that,” it said.

“This decision by CCHL recognises that reality.”

KOA warned, however, that campaigners would remain vigilant about any future attempts to change the ownership or control of the port.

It said a similar proposal involving an overseas company had been advanced about 20 years ago and believed Lyttelton Port would remain an attractive target for international businesses.

“We savour the victory but know that we can’t relax our vigilance,” the group said.

“There may well be another unsolicited offer in the future.”

KOA also raised concerns about CCHL’s review of Enable, the council-owned fibre broadband company, saying it remained opposed to any potential sale of that business.

CCHL said the Tōnui proposal did not meet the threshold for further consideration and was not compelling enough to warrant detailed investigation or additional consultation with the council.

The council’s 2026/27 Letter of Expectation to CCHL does not support leasing the port and encourages the retention of a directly employed workforce.

CCHL said it remained confident in Lyttelton Port Company’s board and management and would continue working with the company on the port’s long term development and future investment.