Council buys Team New Zealand base for new marine events precinct

Auckland City’s plans for a vibrant marine events precinct at the Viaduct Harbour have taken another big step with the purchase this week of the former Team New Zealand base building.

The Viaduct land on which the base is located is to be transferred to Auckland City next year by Infrastructure Auckland.

“Auckland City’s decision to buy the Team New Zealand base will be very well received by the seven councils in the Auckland region who voted on this important land transfer,” said Councillor Scott Milne, chairperson of Auckland City’s recreation and events committee.

A condition of Team New Zealand’s contract with the land’s current owners, America’s Cup Village Limited, was to have the base removed by October 22. Retaining the Team New Zealand base in public ownership allows the famous building to remain in place for future events.

“We are committed to the development of the Viaduct Harbour as a dynamic centre for marine and land-based events and this week’s purchase for $230,000 shows we are putting our money where our mouth is,” said Mr Milne.

Auckland City previously negotiated the transfer of Te Wero Island for public use and in June this year purchased the Eastern Viaduct from Ports of Auckland. By the middle of next year the Viaduct Harbour land will be added to this total to create the new marine events precinct.

“Auckland City is now able to look at both long and short term strategies to ensure the valuable waterfront sites at the Viaduct are optimised for the people of Auckland.”

Team New Zealand managing director Grant Dalton said he was pleased that Auckland City had bought the former base. "We support totally the Auckland City Council's vision for the Viaduct area. Retaining the building rather than removing it is an important step along the way.

"The building was at the centre of some of City of Sails' greatest yachting triumphs so it has a lot of recent history attached to it. It's fitting that the building should be retained in a marine events precinct," said Mr Dalton.

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