As we see the HAC enthusiasts dress up and display their earnest desire for an Austrian abstract art gallery that has little chance of achieving any economic advantage for Whangarei, let's look at an opportunity that just might help.
The proposal is to install an aerial cable car from Town Basin to the summit of Parahaka complete with luge(s). Yes, I know it has been mooted at various times in the past. To go hand in hand with this proposal would be the sale of NorthPower at an estimated conservative value of about $270 million.
There are successful examples for both propositions - the cable car in the Cashmere Hills, Christchurch (160,000 actual users per year).
Rotorua sold it power company soon after it was able and invested in the region with the proceeds. Rotorua is a great tourist destination.
It has a cable car and luge but no Austrian abstract art gallery.
