The Waterfront Control Commission was a body set up during the Second World War war by the New Zealand government to run the wharves, which were vital to the war effort. The Commission had the power to control loading and unloading of ships, to organise the work so that a better despatch was obtained, and to ensure reasonable conditions of employment and payment for waterside workers. The Waterfront Control Commission later became the Waterfront Industry Commission.. The Commission effectively employed all waterside workers throughout New Zealand prior to its abolition in 1989 as part of the reforms of the Fourth Labour Government of New Zealand

Fourth Labour Government of New Zealand

The Fourth Labour Government of New Zealand was the government of New Zealand from 26 July 1984 to 2 November 1990. It enacted major social and economic reforms, including reformation of the tax system. The economic reforms were known as Rogernomics after Finance Minister Roger Douglas...

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The Commission was established by the Waterfront Control Commission Emergency Regulations 1940, and abolished by the Waterfront Industry Reform Act 1989