"Look at what the port does for business in Tauranga, so many are moving here from around New Zealand because the port is nice and handy," he said.
If the harbour needed to be dredged to accommodate these big ships then so be it, he said.
Jill Stein, of Papamoa, was there gathered on Mauao with her grandchildren on school holiday break.
"We couldn't miss it - it's witnessing history," she said.
The ship was amazing in size and moved at a pretty healthy clip, she said.
SIZE COMPARISON
Aotea Maersk:
347m
Sky Tower:
345m
Eiffel Tower:
324m
Empire State Building:
443m
London Eye:
135m