Wind in the sails for Blake memorial funding

Auckland City’s combined committee meeting last week committed $2 million to support the New Zealand National Maritime Museum project to develop a memorial to Sir Peter Blake.

“We are pleased to be able to support this redeveloped memorial to one of our most remarkable national heroes,” says Mayor of Auckland City Dick Hubbard.

“With the modified design, we are confident that this project will be an iconic marker on the Viaduct Harbour, and a fitting reminder of the contribution Sir Peter Blake made to our national pride,” he says.

The total value of the New Zealand National Maritime Museum redevelopment, memorial and yachting exhibition is $8 million. Auckland City has committed 25 per cent of the total cost and, in doing so, firmly acknowledges the significance of this project.

“Auckland City has again stepped up and honoured a commitment made by the previous Council, with a substantial contribution to a facility that has both regional and national significance,” says Chair of the Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee, Councillor Penny Sefuiva.

“Considerable work has gone into the new design for the memorial, and we are pleased to see it will remain a distinctive building, which will incorporate a significant learning opportunity for all visitors,” says Mrs Sefuiva.

Auckland City has reconfirmed the same level of funding support it offered in 2003. This funding commitment is made with a number of conditions including that:

• Auckland City be provided with details of funding raised from all other sources and the overall total cost to complete the project, before making its contribution
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• all endeavours be taken to make the admission price as inexpensive as possible for Auckland city residents as contributors, including consideration of a minimum of two free entry days, and that New Zealand National Maritime Museum actively promote a concession fee for Auckland city residents
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• the memorial is acknowledged as a national asset gifted to the Auckland region
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• in recognising that the memorial is a national asset gifted to the Auckland region, that New Zealand National Maritime Museum and Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa actively seek financial contributions towards the project from the other territorial local authorities in the Auckland region.
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“We hope that other cities in the region will play their part in ensuring that this exciting and interactive exhibit is realised on the waterfront, which is so closely linked with Sir Peter’s youth and early achievements,” said Mrs Sefuiva.

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