January 25, 2010

Media Release: Seafood Festival gives glimpse of waterfront never seen before

People entering the Auckland Seafood Festival through what is known as the old Red Shed on North Wharf will get a glimpse of part of Auckland’s waterfront that they have never seen before.

In coming years people will be able to enjoy a lazy stroll along the previously inaccessible water’s edge and watch the fishing boats unload, or enjoy the restaurants, cafes and a fish market on North Wharf. Once work to repair and rebuild the wharf is complete, new buildings will be built around what is known as the old Red Shed, to ensure the character and history of the area is retained.

Once through the old Red Shed and into the Auckland Seafood Festival itself, which is on from 12 noon to 7pm on January 30 and 31 and February, people will be able to enjoy a huge range of local delicacies on offer from more than 20 individual food stalls as well as wine, beer and soft drinks. In between sampling the seafood delicacies take in the music, slippery pole competition and cooking demonstrations by guest chefs.

The area around Jellicoe Street, including North Wharf, is one of the first to be revitalised in Wynyard Quarter, and is planned to be complete by Rugby World Cup 2011. The area around Jellicoe Street will be the social and cultural heart of Wynyard Quarter, with restaurants, bars and public spaces alongside retail and offices. At the western end of Jellicoe Street, a public open space will give people the opportunity for more relaxed recreation and to enjoy views out over Westhaven.

Wynyard Quarter has its own distinct character. It will continue to be an authentic working waterfront, celebrating our sea-loving culture and maritime history.

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Media inquiries to:

John Dalzell
Sea+City Projects Ltd CE and Project Director
021 949 265

Editors ’ note: Over the next 25 years around 29 hectares of Auckland’s waterfront within Wynyard Quarter will be transformed in stages into a harbourside community with parks and plazas, apartments, shops and offices alongside the traditional marine and fishing industries. It is one of the largest waterfront urban renewal developments ever undertaken in New Zealand.

The regeneration project is a cooperative venture co-funded by Auckland Regional Holdings (ARH), the majority landowner, and Auckland City Council, which will own the roads, promenades, wharfs, parks and plazas. Auckland City Council will also share ownership of the large headland park with Auckland Regional Council (ARC).

ARH established Sea City Projects Ltd (SCPL) to manage the revitalisation, and its commercial land north of Pakenham Street. Auckland City Council has appointed SCPL to project manage the design and construction of the public areas throughout Wynyard Quarter. ARH is a statutory investment management entity and part of the Auckland Regional Council group.