Proposal Offers to Help Fund Cruise Terminal on Queens Wharf

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Cultural Tourism Proposal Offers to Help Fund Cruise Terminal on Queens Wharf

8 November, 2011 – Promoters of a major cultural tourism attraction for Auckland’s waterfront have offered to save ratepayer funds and build a new cruise ship terminal into its design if the government and Auckland Council make Queens Wharf available for its location.

Conceived six years ago by designer Logan Brewer (Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter and the recently opened Te Wao Nui at Auckland Zoo), Te Waka aims to tell New Zealand’s unique story of Pacific migration and settlement and celebrate Auckland’s rich and diverse cultural heritage in a major commercial attraction with interactive, high technology exhibits and experiences.

Te Waka Pacific Discovery Limited has several major investors prepared to fund the attraction subject to securing a prime site in Auckland’s waterfront development plan. It has advised Auckland Councillors at a public hearing today that the proposal could accommodate the cruise ship terminal, and any future development of the commuter ferry terminal under a public-private partnership arrangement.

A spokesperson for the proposal, Mr Paul Gilberd, said: “This is a compelling opportunity that offers several major benefits for the regional economy through increased tourism receipts and employment opportunities for 150 performers and craftspeople from a range of Auckland cultures.”

“The draft Auckland Plan makes a strong statement about the need for a cultural tourism attraction, but is silent on where and how it will be delivered.

“Our proposal presents a win-win opportunity - a way to keep Queens Wharf open for public access as an events and tourism destination, as well as accommodating cruise ship visitors in port for 100 days a year,” he said.

The Te Waka development proposal would have a commercial attraction at its core, but with space and facilities preserved for handling cruise ship visits, as well as providing free public access for a range of cultural events and attractions all year round.

“A public-private partnership arrangement makes a lot of sense in the economic climate reducing the cost to ratepayers of building a new cruise ship terminal whilst preserving public access to Queens Wharf and promoting economic growth imperatives,” added Mr Gilberd.

“The draft Auckland Plan provides fresh impetus and value for the proposal. We believe Te Waka is the right idea at the right time,” he concluded.

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Please note: The Te Waka proposal and its promoters are entirely separate and unrelated to the plastic waka which provided an attraction in Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour during the RWC.

About Te Waka

Te Waka offers a gateway attraction which will deliver a unique visitor experience for domestic and international visitors to Auckland. With its striking translucent structure reminiscent of a Polynesian fish trap it is both an iconic symbol for Auckland’s waterfront, and a fresh expression of Auckland’s identity. Te Waka aims to become a highly visible international icon, actively promoted on the international tourism market (especially in cruise travel), and instantly recognisable as a symbol of Auckland’s place in the Pacific.

Te Waka will accommodate a 30-metre dome planetarium with a virtual reality experience of Polynesian navigation in a life-size ancient waka. Live performances and high-tech audio visual storytelling will be provided in a 1,200 seat auditorium theatre. Food offerings include a large seafood restaurant with views through to a tropical coral reef.

With a continuous programme of free and commercial entertainment, Te Waka will provide a forum and voice for the many cultures that call Auckland home. Te Waka will be a natural home for a wide range of traditional and popular music; visual arts and craft; tattoo; food, cultural festivals and marine innovation from waka to super-yachts.

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