Revolt over Blake tribute

By BERNARD ORSMAN

A bloc of Auckland City councillors are demanding public discussion on options to commemorate Sir Peter Blake, saying buying Kaikoura Island is a more fitting tribute than a "glass box" at the Viaduct Harbour.

The seven City Vision, Labour and Team Auckland councillors said spending $2 million of ratepayers' money on a waterfront memorial at the National Maritime Museum had been shrouded in secrecy and mystery. The whole project will cost $10 million.

The council's finance committee approved the funding as a late addition to this year's budget, allowing just six days for public feedback.

City Vision councillor Penny Sefuiva said the proposal by Mayor John Banks and recreation committee chairman Scott Milne to spend $2 million of ratepayers' money on the "glass mausoleum" had been presented as a fait accompli.

She said she would move at the next council meeting, on June 26, that a report be prepared canvassing the options and costs.

She compared the secrecy on the Blake memorial with the expenditure by the council of $20,000 on a controversial portrait of Sir Edmund Hillary by Australian artist Lewis Millar.

"Councillors seem to be very much out of the loop on these things these days," said Penny Sefuiva.

Auckland councillor Victoria Carter said preserving Kaikoura Island and developing it as an environmental haven was a more fitting tribute than a glass box.

"All councillors should be involved in matters where large sums are being spent. Building a Blake memorial needs more discussion," she said.

The Herald has been swamped by reader support for an idea to buy the Hauraki Gulf's Kaikoura Island.

It has the backing of Conservation Minister Chris Carter, former Team New Zealand director and Blake mentor Sir Tom Clark and former world champion sailor Tony Bouzaid. The Forest Restoration Trust has launched a campaign to buy the island, which is for sale for $10 million.

Mr Milne said the museum proposal was still in the early stages and councillors would have opportunities to discuss it.

The Blake family supported it. He said the council would commit $2 million only if Te Papa could raise $5.5 million from private sponsorship towards the $10 million project. The other $2.5 million would come from the Government.

"I think Kaikoura is a fabulous idea personally but I don't think it is at all appropriate for the Auckland City Council. It's a wonderful national idea but Auckland City ratepayers' money should be spent for the benefit of Auckland City ratepayers.

"I don't see too many kids from Glen Innes or Avondale being able to get to Kaikoura Island to see a Peter Blake memorial, whereas I do see tens of thousands of kids being subsidised to go through the Blake memorial at the maritime museum and be inspired and educated and informed about what an amazing New Zealander he was."