Media information from YES! Whangarei:

PM John Key sees value in Hundertwasser project

John Key has indicated that if Whangarei's Hundertwasser project goes ahead he sees the Ministry of Tourism as being open to providing funding, noting that there are strong reasons for building it.

Yesterday fundraisers were told they had lost $2.5+ million of Lotteries funding, as a result of Whangarei District Council voting to defer their decision to a March Referendum.

Interviewed today by Radio New Zealand today the Prime Minister said “...Hundertwasser's a brilliant man in his day and the proposal was totally unique to Whangarei. It can't be moved anywhere else. So it can only be built there,"

"Certainly, there are people that believe that it would add a particular reason for people to overnight in Whangarei and therefore stay longer, so there are some real benefits."”

The Hundertwasser Wairau Maori Art Centre proposal was presented by Prosper Northland Trust (PNT) to the Whangarei District Council when it called for submissions for an empty building. If it proceeds Whangarei will finally construct the building world-renowed artist Hundertwasser designed especially for the city.

Under the proposal WDC would need to make the building ready for construction and undertake earthquake strengthening. PNT commits to providing a further $10 million for the build itself and underwriting any operational costs for 10 years. Deloittes has estimated the proposal will bring $3.5 million in extra wealth to Northland annually.

Spokesperson for PNT, Barry Trass says that they are pleased to hear that the Prime Minister has commented positively about the project that he and his group are so passionate about.

"We have always believed that there is a strong economic value to Whangarei and Northland through the attraction of tourists to a Hundertwasser art centre and it's encouraging to hear the Prime Minister's comments in this regard."

Related links:

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/regional/260487/charities-pull-cash-for-hundertwasser

http://yeswhangarei.co.nz

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