Wellington, Aug 13 NZPA - Ports of Auckland, the country's largest container port, said it handled 3 percent more containers in the year ended June 30 than a year ago.

The port's volumes are seen as a leading indicator for the economy.

Managing director Jens Madsen said a 4 percent increase in the volume of full import container volumes was a positive sign, suggesting some growth in the economy.

But it also reflected the port's success in attracting and consolidating new import container business through the year, he said.

Ports of Auckland handled 867,368 20-foot equivalent units (TEU), up from 843,590 TEU the previous year.

The port handles around 40 percent of New Zealand's total imports by value.

The port, council owned, would release its annual result on August 18.