A coalition of influential Auckland figures, including Sir Stephen Tindall, Lady Pippa Blake, Sir Ralph Norris, and MP Chlöe Swarbrick, has formally objected to a proposed 35-year lease of Auckland’s downtown port in a letter to Mayor Wayne Brown.
The group has criticised the lease plan, featured in Auckland’s draft Long Term Plan, for perpetuating unsustainable industrial activities at the port’s city center location until at least 2060.
Urging councillors to reject the proposal, the signatories envision repurposing the port area into a ‘vibrant public waterfront’ similar to the Viaduct and Wynyard Quarter. They argue such a move would unlock big social, economic, and environmental benefits, while maintaining the port’s current location contradicts previous studies recommending its relocation due to sustainability issues.
The campaign, dubbed ‘Stop Stealing Our Harbour,’ highlights the port’s encroachment on valuable land that could otherwise serve residential or recreational purposes.
Despite acknowledging some alignment with the mayor on incremental waterfront development, the group stresses the urgency of drafting a comprehensive plan for the port’s relocation, a sentiment supported by a 2019 government study recommending a shift to Whangārei.
They can put some boutiques there for Chloe to rob from them.
“Stop stealing our harbours…”
Ugh Jesus 😒🤦🏼
In what possible universe would ten more restaurants on the waterfront coupled with some sh!tty concerts from woke singers ever eclipse the billions that the port brings in annually? Do they really think we’re that dumb?
They want to move the port so they can all graft millions from the relocation project. Friends, families and potential future employers all own logistics companies, building companies, finance companies etc. Government tenders are up for grabs if you know the right people. Just be sure to return the favour when the political revolving door spits them back out into the private sector 😉