To build or not to build GIVEN that tourism contributes just over 7% of New Zealand’s Gross Domestic Product, word last week by Auckland Council that only one of two planned expansions will proceed at Bledisloe Wharf came as a shock, jeopardising the 2016 hosting of the 4,180 pax Ovation...
To build or not to build
GIVEN that tourism contributes
just over 7% of New Zealand’s Gross
Domestic Product, word last week
by Auckland Council that only one
of two planned expansions will
proceed at Bledisloe Wharf came
as a shock, jeopardising the 2016
hosting of the 4,180 pax Ovation of
the Seas and all other megaships
that may visit in the future.
Using CLIA’s latest Economic
Impact Report as a gauge, this
would mean missing out on close
to $1m a day of passenger spend
in the local economy as well as
potential jobs these visits generate.
Add provisions, transport and
tourism suppliers to the mix and
the loss of potential revenue is even
On the other side of the fence, you
have concerned locals who have
started their “Stop Stealing our
Harbour” campaign, unhappy with
the proposed 100m extension to
the wharf. Do they have a right to
see how their tax dollars are spent?
Sure they do – and they also have a
say in their home environment.
A solution will only come from
both sides’ willingness to resolve
the conflict, starting with mapping
out everyone’s issues.
Once these matters are
documented and understood, a
resolution will only eventuate with
broadened perspectives from both
parties, meaning each side needs
an empathetic win/win approach
while managing emotions, bringing
creative responses and co-operative
power to the table.
– Peter Kollar
CLIA Australasia
