Auckland City seeks control of America’s Cup base sites

Auckland City is talking to America’s Cup Village Ltd, a subsidiary of Infrastructure Auckland, concerning the ownership of the land used for America’s Cup bases on Halsey Street Wharf.

Auckland City is gradually acquiring key land in the Viaduct Harbour area, with a vision of creating a marine stadium. The marine stadium concept is for an entertainment centre offering on-water entertainment, while interfacing with the viaduct’s land based infrastructure.

Councillor Scott Milne, Chairperson of the council’s Recreation and Events Committee, sees the area on which the America’s Cup bases are built as eminently suitable for this purpose, and a cost effective solution to Auckland City’s desire to see more Aucklanders enjoying the viaduct.

“We are delighted with the comments of John Robertson, Chairperson of Infrastructure Auckland, concerning the option for Auckland City to take over ownership of the America’s Cup bases land,” says Mr Milne.

“Auckland City does not currently own this land, the face of which is going to change dramatically according to the syndicates’ contracts with America’s Cup Village Ltd, when the cup bases are dismantled later this month.”

“It would be a significant loss if the land on which the bases were built is not part of the marine stadium concept and retained in public ownership.”

“We are keen to talk to other Auckland councils about the future ownership of this land. Over the next two decades this area could become one of New Zealand’s finest recreational resources. A world class facility that we are proud of and other countries envy, at the heart of the city and on the edge of the beautiful Waitemata harbour.”

Auckland City is in negotiations with current landowners Ports of Auckland about purchasing the Eastern Viaduct. This land will complement Te Wero Island, which is already owned by the city. The Eastern Viaduct has been secured to provide public spectator space for events on and off the water.

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