Queens Wharf = Queens Park

This TV3 picture tells quite a story.... which I suspect some will want to forget.... the red gates holding them back.... The main point of this posting is to underline what Auckland learned about its waterfront during the Rugby World Cup. We learned that Aucklanders will flock to their waterfront when they are invited. Over one million visits to Queens Wharf during the RWC event.

But we are Third World in our waterfront public planning. Planning emphasis is either the cruise ship economy (cruise ships barely visited during the RWC - they gave cruise tickets away toward the end) or the Port Company or Real Estate. Pretty much what you expect in Third World ports.

We have learned that Aucklanders will celebrate their waterfront, come and spend money at their waterfront, come and have fun at the waterfront, become attractions in themselves on the waterfront. Someone said to me on RWC opening night, "I didn't know there were so many Tongans living in Auckland...." We don't see our Tongan population in Auckland Central much because we don't prioritise their needs. We talk about vibrant pacific culture in the words in our visions, but we don't match those words with actions on the streets. Queens Wharf's RWC use should give us a few ideas. (Auckland's Tongan population is about 40,000 people, Samoan 100,000)

On Sunday 12th September 2010 a couple of Chinese warships came to visit Auckland. They tied up at Queens Wharf and I was amazed at the level of interest from the local community. Queues all the way back to the Red Gates. For a couple of days. There were big crowds when a pair of Korean warships came around the same time. These happenings give an inkling of what could happen on Auckland's international waterfront. If only Auckland's planners and councillors could be persuaded to see what is happening around them. And to share the waterfront love.

Even this New Zealand Car Rally event. Very colourful and interesting while it was happening...

This family from Samoa loved its time on Queens Wharf. With the recent uncelebrated Greenpeace history of Marsden Wharf, its own history, and the history of Auckland itself, Queens Wharf is Auckland's Queens Park. But not a terminal. Not another loss of public amenity and public opportunity to private interests. Not compromised by cruise ship infrastructure, but supported by infrastructure for visiting events, and for visiting ships. Queens Park is a city central waterfront park for Auckland.