Print PageWaterfront Proposal
An open letter from Dona White, president of the EEAA NZ Chapter
Like most other Aucklanders, I was pleased to read that the ground swell of public opinion to transform Queen’s Wharf into a more public-friendly space has the support of both the Auckland Regional Council chairman and deputy chairman. However, I would urge more thought and consultation before a final decision is made on the future use of Queen’s Wharf. A myriad of studies and reports over recent years have identified the need for a dedicated convention centre and significant flat floor exhibition space close to city hotels and I believe this is an opportunity to further investigate the feasibility of such a facility on the waterfront.
While a new cruise ship berth and passenger terminal would no doubt be a boon for that sector, we do already have an attractive berth for cruise ships at the adjacent Princes Wharf. At present, Auckland is severely lacking in central city exhibition, convention and function space and while there are alternatives being considered (notably the Aotea precinct), the release of Queen's Wharf for the development of public amenities gives both local and central government the opportunity to look at developing iconic meeting space on the Auckland waterfront.
Many cities and countries around the world have developed their trade show, public exhibition and convention industries to the point where they become an important driver of tourism, particularly in winter and shoulder seasons. Business events – including exhibitions – tend to attract high-yield tourists who spend far more during their stay than a typical leisure tourist. Tourism New Zealand, the Minister of Tourism and many others in the industry repeatedly highlight the need to spread tourism across the year and to attract 'quality' tourists, rather than concentrate on numbers alone. Both strategies are environmentally sound, putting less strain on resources that are already bulging at the seams in peak season. Here is an opportunity to actually do something tangible to boost off-season high-yield tourism, rather than just talk about it.
Offshore evidence also shows that these facilities tend to be embraced by local and national communities – medical, education, trade, charity, corporate food and wine and many other sectors make use of exhibition and convention centres. We do not have to look far to see that functional flat floor space benefits economies and attracts frequent use. Melbourne and Sydney both have substantial exhibition and convention space in the city and both are extending that space. Auckland is falling behind cities such as Christchurch, Wellington, the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth (to name just a few) when it comes to useable flat floor space for trade and public shows, banqueting, conferences and meetings.
I realise that whenever prime land such as Queen’s Wharf is considered for development there will always be many and varied opinions on how it could best be used. An exhibition and convention centre should at the very least be considered in the mix of options.
Dona White
President, NZ Chapter
Exhibition & Event Association of Australasia