Government wants America's Cup land to remain for future events

Sunday, 9 September 2018

An impression of what future events areas on the redeveloped Halsey Street Wharf and extended Hobson Wharf might look like.

The Government wants Auckland's waterfront developed so it can permanently cater for international events like the America's Cup.

An Environment Court hearing begins on Monday to consider planning approval for infrastructure to host the Cup in 2021, 18 years after the city last staged the event.

The plans include extending Hobson Wharf by 74 metres, clearing industrial land on Wynyard Point for up to five bases, and housing Team New Zealand in the Events Centre.

The Government is contributing $74 million to the construction, and wants it useable beyond the 10-year span of the resource consents being sought.

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'In short, the Crown does not want to see Auckland in this position again in 15 years time as a result of Wynyard Point and/or the wharves being developed in a manner that forecloses the future hosting of similar events,' said Heather Kirkham from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment in her evidence to the court hearing.

The waterfront land reclaimed to build America's Cup bases in 2000 and 2003 has since been used for apartment and hotel developments, requiring more spending for the 2021 event.

Five bases will use land on on Wynyard Point, tentatively planned for eventual building.

The future concept for Wynyard Point, drawn up before the need to accommodate an America's Cup arose.

The Government wants a requirement of a resource consent that the plan would provide for future events without new infrastructure.

'Panuku (the council's development arm) has agreed to this condition, and the Crown understands it is widely supported by the parties,' said Kirkham.

Temporary base buildings are proposed to be removed after the 10-year consent, or loss of the Cup, but the Crown is arguing that water's edge land or wharves should retain future capacity for new events.

The consent is being sought by Panuku, with backing from the Auckland Council.

Both plan to spend an estimated $212m preparing for and holding the defence of the cup, won by Team New Zealand in Bermuda last year.

Mediation and talks between various parties has resolved most major issues ahead of the hearing.

Team New Zealand's partner team in the event, the Challenger of Record Prada, from Italy, is still unhappy about design restrictions proposed for its likely base on Hobson Wharf.

'Team base design should put team's priorities first, and in this case, public second,' submitted Mirko Groeschner, the challenger's Commercial, Marketing and Event Director.

The submission doesn't outline how Prada would design its base, but Groeschner wanted the ability to put team signage on the wharf's sea wall.

Panuku is backing the proposed extension of Hobson Wharf, beyond the Maritime Museum, saying it would provide permanent space for a multitude of future uses.

AUT Tourism Advisory Board member Gareth Jones, a consultant to Panuku, said possibilities ranged from a temporary site for the Pop Up Globe Shakespearian theatre, to open-air cinemas, and marine events.

The local iwi Ngati Whatua Orakei said it's moved from being neutral on the event, to supportive, and accepts the extension of Hobson Wharf.

It has agreed to discuss outside the consent process its hopes for a permanent cultural centre on Auckland's waterfront.

The Environment Court hearing is set down for up to a fortnight, with an indicative decision in mid to late October.

Team New Zealand is due to move to its new base in the existing Events Centre shortly.

The revolutionary AC75 foiling monohull boats can take to the water from March next year.