Silence on $15m Blake tribute

By JAMES GARDINER

Mystery surrounds a $15 million memorial to yachtsman Sir Peter Blake partly revealed yesterday by Auckland Mayor John Banks - to the embarrassment of the Government.

Mr Banks let the cat out of the bag in an interview with a community newspaper, and critics from all sides of the political spectrum immediately pounced.

The Mayor said last night the project was being driven by Wellington, not him.

Sir Peter's widow, Lady Pippa Blake, Sports and America's Cup Minister Trevor Mallard and Team New Zealand management were all involved. He would say no more to avoid breaching confidences.

A businessman with interests at the Viaduct told the Weekend Herald the council was rumoured to be looking at land on the eastern side, in front of the area used during the America's Cup for a giant screen and public seating.

The land, beyond the "big boat" and past the Maritime Museum, is owned by Ports of Auckland and was used during the regatta for a Telecom pavilion housing a big screen, interactive displays and corporate hospitality areas.

Mr Banks let slip his first hint of what was afoot three weeks ago during an America's Cup press conference where the ears - or certainly eyes - of the world's news media were on Omega "ambassador" and supermodel Cindy Crawford.

The Mayor said then that he, Mr Mallard and Lady Pippa were working on something "to keep the dream alive" for Sir Peter.

It would be "much bigger" than a statue, a scholarship or a renaming of the inner harbour.

"We have something very special planned in this precinct," he said.

Brazilian pirates shot Sir Peter dead on board his Seamaster yacht while he was leading an environmental journey on the Amazon River on December 5, 2001.

When news of his murder broke in New Zealand, Prime Minister Helen Clark, who had recently visited Sir Peter and spent time with him on board Seamaster, said it would be "wonderful" to rename the Viaduct Harbour after Blake and erect a statue.

Yesterday, Helen Clark did not want to talk about what was planned or how much the Government was chipping in, referring inquiries to Mr Mallard.

He would not be interviewed either. "You won't get any details," his press secretary said.

Another Mallard staffer said he was "not aware of any imminent announcements by the Government on Blake Trust".

Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said it would be a tragedy to spend $15 million of ratepayers' or taxpayers' money on "some kind of static monument".

Sir Peter was a man of action, passionate about the oceans and the environment, she said.

"It would be good to honour him in a way that recognised his work."

Act sports spokesman Stephen Franks said there would have to be more than a monument to justify such expenditure. But getting more detail out of Mr Banks was a bit like a game of 20 questions.

Will most of the money come from Wellington?

"Not necessarily."

What's the most Auckland ratepayers would put in?

"I'm going to go out with Trevor Mallard and raise as much money as I can from industry, from commerce and wealthy individuals."

Will people go and see it or will they see it and do it?

"It will be very good for Auckland and will significantly add to this country's history."

When will it be announced?

"It's going to be driven from Wellington, top of the Prime Minister's office."

Will it be part of the council's maritime stadium project?

"Not really."

That project is part of the council's plan to ensure the Viaduct continues to be run on a commercial basis but as a public facility for concerts, dragonboat racing, running and cycle racing as well as yacht regattas and other aquatic events.