Revamp of Northland's Opua Wharf criticised

A planned $3 million revamp of Opua Wharf will be a waste of space by not providing for cruise ships, a resident says.

Wharf owner Far North Holdings has conditional consent for the revamp, which is designed for smaller boats and yachts.

Retired charter boat operator Robert Serge said cruise ship visits were already decreasing and the Bay of Islands "brand" was now at risk.

But Far North Holdings chairman Malcolm Nicolson said the company had decided to build a new wharf for cruise ships at Waitangi.

Conservation Minister Chris Carter will make a decision on the wharf redevelopment.