Confusion around a large discrepancy in survey results on the Port of Auckland's privatisation

The Maritime Union conducted a survey, which found around nine out of ten Aucklanders were opposed to or unsure about port privatisation.

A poll commissioned by Mayor Wayne Brown's Office shows 71 percent of respondents support leasing operations for up to 35 years.

That's on the condition that several billion dollars are paid up-front, and the council retains ownership of the port land.

Union National Secretary Craig Harrison says there's a major inexplicable discrepancy between the two results.

Mr Harrison would like to know what questions were asked in the Mayor's poll and how it was couched.