A man suffered critical injuries after a straddle carrier he was operating overturned at Ports of Auckland. Straddle carriers are the machines which haul shipping containers around on the wharves. (File photo).

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A man has died after being injured when a straddle carrier he was operating overturned at Ports of Auckland.

The man suffered critical injuries after the straddle carrier turned onto its side on August 27.

He was taken to Auckland City Hospital, but a union representative said the young man died from his injuries on September 3.

International Transport Federation dockers' section chair Paddy Crumlin said deaths at ports were becoming a global epidemic.

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"Every worker deserves to return home safely at the end of their shift.

"Our thoughts are with the family of this young man, his workmates, friends and our comrades at MUNZ [Maritime Union of NZ]."

The death comes after union representatives called on Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) for great regulations and improved safety standards on New Zealand's waterfront, he said.

"We know that ports are among the most dangerous workplaces in the world but every workplace death is preventable."

National secretary of MUNZ, Joe Fleetwood, said they had been "pushing hard" for improved safety standards for years.

"I'm sick of it - how many more people have to die before Maritime New Zealand will regulate?

"They say there isn't a problem in the industry but people are dying because of the lack of regulation."

A Maritime New Zealand spokeswoman said as the accident happened on land and not on the sea, the incident wasn't part of their jurisdiction.

Ports of Auckland spokesman Matt Ball said there had been no changes to operations at this stage but there were counsellors on-site who were available to all staff.

Ports of Auckland chief executive Tony Gibson said they were "devastated by the news".

"This is a terrible time for his family and friends, and we will continue to stand alongside them and support them."

Worksafe NZ earlier confirmed they were investigating the incident.

Straddle carriers are machines which haul shipping containers around on wharves.

One of the country's largest ports, Ports of Auckland processed over 580,000 containers in 2017 at an average of about 35 containers every hour.

In 2016, Ports of Auckland Ltd announced plans to introduce automated straddle carriers by 2019.

It received two automated straddle carriers earlier this year.

Ports of Auckland is owned by Auckland Council.​