Aquarium sale possible as Napier council looks to become more viable

The National Aquarium of New Zealand, pictured after an $8 million refurbishment in 2002. After close to 50 years on its current site, one of Napier City Council's biggest assets could now be sold.

Napier City Council has begun moves towards a possible sale or third-party lease of the National Aquarium of New Zealand, the once-iconic Marine Parade attraction.

The council announced on Wednesday it is seeking registrations of interest (ROI) in taking over the troubled facilities.

It follows community consultation on the aquarium’s future earlier this year, with one option agreed by the council being to explore “exiting the aquarium activity by transferring ownership to a third party”.

It was in May reported to be costing ratepayers over $2 million a year to maintain.

Mayor Richard McGrath, in the chair less than two months, said the registration process reflects the council’s priority of being financially sustainable.

“We’ve heard clearly from our community that they want us to stick to the basics,” he said. “I’m all for Napier being a great visitor destination, but there are others who would be better placed to operate tourist facilities.”

The sale or lease would not include the sale of the land and any viable proposal would go through a full due diligence process.

“Most importantly, we’ll talk to our residents about what they think, before making any final decision,” McGrath said.

The process is open until January 16 and if a suitable proposal is received, community consultation would take place mid-year.

The aquarium opened in the basement of Napier’s War Memorial Centre in 1957, but it will be 50 years next year since its establishment on the current site in 1976.

It underwent an $8 million upgrade in 2002, but has over the last two decades been earmarked for anything from closure and demolition to redevelopment at a possible cost of up to $77m.