Hundertwasser is still stirring debate in Northland.
Hundertwasser is still stirring debate in Northland.
Mr Berks misrepresents that "Hundertwasserites" claim "arty types from all over Europe would rush to Kiwiland".
That is not what the Deloitte reports predict nor what we "Hundertwasserites" claim.
Projected visitor numbers are based on the existing 1 million international travellers now passing along SH1. A proportion, 79,000 (8 percent), will be interested to drop in to Whangarei. He also ignores the 4.5 million domestic travellers of which 54,000 are predicted to have a look; not to mention locals. These figures are confirmed by Crowe Horwath.
That is how the visitor figures are arrived at, not predictions of floods of new visitors from Europe. It is Mr Berks who is promoting the myth of new overseas people coming to New Zealand, so that he can attack it - that is not worthy of him.
Tourism is New Zealand's second largest industry. It is projected to increase substantially. The government identifies tourism as a major future economic driver for Northland. If we let people of Mr Berk's persuasion control the development of our city, we will miss out on jobs for our young people, commercial stimulation for our struggling city centre, and an exciting town basin for those of us who live here.
If Hundertwasser goes ahead, a new hotel appears a certainty, and cruise ships likely. Also a profit of $700,000 to $500,000 per annum. Wouldn't that be good?
But Mr Berks offers us only a patch of grass instead. No vision, no business acumen, no jobs, no tourists - nothing.
What a waste that would be and an opportunity missed!
