The New Zealand port of Tauranga has received support from the country's Shippers' Council to become an international hub port.

"[The] Port of Tauranga has welcomed the [New Zealand] Shippers' Council recommendation that it should become New Zealand's North Island international hub port," a statement from the port said.

The council had approved the port's application to widen and deepen Tauranga harbour's shipping channels, so that vessels of up to 7,000 TEUs (twenty foot equivalent containers) will be able to enter the vicinity.

"We have board approval to commence the first stage of the dredging project as soon as we have resolved the appeals," said Mark Cairns, Port of Tauranga Chief Executive.

"We congratulate the Shippers' Council on their analysis and recommendations, which gives the sector a robust, objective report on which to base future discussion and investment decision-making about the supply chain."

Tauranga port is New Zealand's largest port by volume. According to Statistics New Zealand, Tauranga handled around 80% more international cargo than its nearest competitor (up from 56% last year) and three times the volume of exports.