Blake's brother withdraws support for glass memorial

By ANGELA GREGORY

The planned $10 million waterfront memorial to Sir Peter Blake was rejected by his brother yesterday, and a poll showed New Zealanders are against the concept.

Prime Minister Helen Clark also refused to endorse the plan yesterday.

Less than a month after voicing support for the glass-encased yacht tribute, Sir Peter's brother, Tony Blake, has spoken out against it, saying the "glass coffin" tag no longer made it palatable.

Tony Blake had earlier described the plan as a "wonderful concept" and a "great-looking building".

He said yesterday that he had initially supported the idea of housing the America's Cup-winning boat Black Magic (NZL32) in a large glass building at Viaduct Harbour in Auckland.

But continued disparaging references to the "glass coffin" had tarnished the proposal, he said.

"We don't want that association with Peter."

His comments came as a TV One-Colmar Brunton poll last night revealed overwhelming support from New Zealanders to instead buy Kaikoura Island, the seventh-largest island in the Hauraki Gulf, and make it an environmental reserve.

The idea has caught on since first suggested by Herald columnist Brian Rudman, who was opposed to what he coined the "glass coffin".

Seventy-two per cent of people polled supported the island plan, compared with only 16 per cent who favoured the glass-case proposal, which would include an exhibition celebrating Sir Peter's life.

Helen Clark refused to be drawn into the debate yesterday, twice saying at a post-Cabinet press conference that she had no view on the glass structure or buying Kaikoura Island.

"I don't have any personal views on it," she said.

Sports Minister Trevor Mallard has backed the ship-in-a-bottle concept.

Mr Blake said that although negative publicity had put him off the glass building, he still supported having Black Magic housed at the Viaduct as an appendage to the Maritime Museum.

He had also thought the estimated $10 million cost was excessive.

Mr Blake said the proposal to buy Kaikoura Island, near the entrance to Port Fitzroy harbour at Great Barrier Island, was a good idea if the money was available.

But he thought it would probably prove too inaccessible for the average New Zealander.

Mr Blake said Sir Peter's wife, Lady Pippa, remained supportive of a tribute based at the Maritime Museum because of its visibility.

Black Magic was gifted to Te Papa, the national museum in Wellington, which is raising $5 million to house the yacht - in storage at present - at the Viaduct.

The remaining cost of the glass exhibit was expected to be shared between the Government and Auckland City Council.