Development of Wero, a white water stadium proposed for Manukau looks a little bit closer with Franklin Local Board voting to support Regional Facilities Auckland (RFA) funding proposal.

At the Local Board meeting on Tuesday February 26 members discussed the RFA recommendation to provide net sale proceeds from the adjoining land sale to Counties Manukau Pacific Trust (CMPT) at Manukau to develop Stage Two of the Telstra Clear Pacific Events Centre.

The innovative project will be unique in New Zealand and aligns with the strategic directives in the Auckland Plan and will deliver tangible outcomes related to the Southern Initiative.

Schools, sports people, community groups, weekend warriors, businesses and emergency services will all have access to the white water stadium, which promises to be a draw-card to Auckland.

Franklin joins supportive motions passed by Otara-Papatoetoe and Mangere-Otahuhu Local Boards.

Chairman of CMPT, Sir Noel Robinson says; “It’s fantastic to receive formal support from local boards where their communities will directly benefit from Wero.

“Of course, we’re disappointed Howick Local Board passed a resolution not to support Wero before a presentation about the project was given,” says Sir Noel.

“Their decision is a bitter pill to swallow for the region especially when funds from the land being sold at Manukau may not be used to in the area and could go to other RFA projects in other parts of Auckland.”

Manurewa and Papakura Local Boards have reserved their decision-making until they analyse public opinion from submissions to the Auckland Council Annual Plan.

“Numerous groups and individuals have told us they have sent positive submissions to Auckland Council voicing how Wero will be a dynamic addition for Aucklanders as well as people throughout New Zealand.”

Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development’s (ATEED) released a favourable business review in November, 2012.

RFA and CMPT have agreed to develop Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that sets
out funding conditions and limits RFA and the council’s exposure to unnecessary risk.

About Wero
The white water stadium is the stage two anchor attraction at TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre and it will consist of a function centre and two water courses.
River Rush is a grade four white water rafting course for recreational rafters and kayakers that will attract international televised events with a training base for the Olympic teams.
Tamariki River is a grade one water course for school group use for an introduction to rafting and kayaking.
It will also be used by not for profit groups for mentoring programmes teaching water safety and learning to take risks in a controlled environment is key for youth development.
It will also provide training facilities for the emergency services for frontline moving water training.
Stage three includes Body Odyssey exhibition, art gallery and café, and office plus classroom spaces.
Body Odyssey was an interactive exhibition of the human body developed by Te Papa and the Children’s Museum of Manhattan hosted at TelstraClear Pacific in 2005.
The exhibition was enjoyed by over 26,000 visitors and will be a permanent exhibition in Wero.
With the highest diabetes rates in the world, Body Odyssey will help educate our youth on the importance of making healthier choices.
An art gallery and café will be added to provide an outlet for talented New Zealand artists giving tourists and locals alike the chance to purchase original artworks.
Office and classroom spaces will also be added on the second floor of the building. This will provide meeting and workshop spaces with a wonderful view of River Rush and Tamariki River.
Stage four, The Arrival will be an interactive high tech visual display telling the Polynesian story of journey, following the DNA trail from Asia finally arriving on the shores of Aotearoa.
A descendant of Hape will guide visitors through the tunnel sharing his story of journey on the stingray named Kaiwhare to our harbour.
The tunnel will end at a contemporary Fale where guests will enjoy food of the journey along with cultural group performances drawing on the many talents from within our communities.
The Arrival will be used during the day by school students learning the stories and history of our people.
Stage five, the Outreach Gallery and artist in residence studio will house touring exhibitions with an artist in residence program for school groups from all over the Auckland region.
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