Cultural glow to perk up old restaurant

By ANGELA GREGORY

Warrior cries, foot-stomping haka and wafts of hangi cooking will soon be emanating from Auckland's old Fisherman's Wharf restaurant.

Businesswoman and television celebrity Suzanne Paul is turning the landmark restaurant, tucked under the harbour bridge, into a Maori cultural centre for the tourist market.

English-born Paul confirmed yesterday that she had taken over the circular Northcote Point premises to offer "theatrical" cultural shows, traditional food and a "living" indoor Maori village.

The centre marks a new direction for Paul, best known for selling Natural Glow beauty products and, most recently, appearing in TV2's Celebrity Treasure Island.

Paul expected the venture would create about 100 jobs, including some for Maori carvers who would work in the village.

She was aiming at the tourist trade from hotels and cruise ships, as well as overseas visitors catching up with friends or family in Auckland.

"I have known from when friends are visiting me that they want to experience New Zealand culture ... I did not feel that was catered for in Auckland."

Paul said she was getting good feedback on her idea and hoped there would be demand for daily shows.

"Locals are pleased something is being done with the building," she said, adding that she had wondered for years what the old restaurant could be used for.

Paul said it was in disrepair, ready to be demolished, and she was spending "a lot" of money on it.

She hoped the cultural centre would open around New Year.

The building is owned by property developer Andrew Krukziener

It was built by restaurateur Bob Sell and opened in 1971.

The business boomed and he sold it two years later.

It has also been known as Doyles.

Paul came to Auckland in 1991 and worked as a sales demonstrator in Henderson Square shopping mall. Then she launched the "Massage Pillow" the "Suzanne Clip" and "Natural Glow."

She has made two records, The Blue Monkey and Life Begins at 40 and appeared in television shows How's Life? Guess Who's Coming to Dinner and Garage Sale.