"It's been a very tragic day - it's something which none of us ever wish to deal with."
Mr Huddlestone met the man's family to offer them his support and sympathies.
"They were coping as you would expect - they were very, very saddened and upset."
Two Allied workers who saw the accident were being offered counselling by the company.
"They're doing okay. They'll be a little quiet and upset over the next few days, but they're doing okay and as well as can be expected," Mr Huddlestone said.
Senior Sergeant Glenn Saunders of Tauranga police said they were investigating the incident on behalf of the coroner. He said police were still notifying the man's next of kin and would not name him until this morning.
Port of Tauranga corporate services manager Sara Lunam said the company could not comment as the investigation had been handed to police and the Department of Labour.
A spokeswoman for the department said the investigation could take up to six weeks.
Rail and Maritime Transport Union president Aubrey Wilkinson said the victim was not represented by the union. He said the port was a dangerous environment.
Last year another worker was killed at the port when he stepped into the path of a forklift.
Mr Wilkinson said the union and other contracted workers formed the Port Users Health and Safety (PUSH) group four years ago to prevent accidents.
