Trust extends the HAC underwrite to a decade

Prosper Northland spokesman Barry Trass

The trust behind the proposal for a Hundertwasser arts centre in Whangarei has now vowed to underwrite any shortfalls in the centre for a decade.

The Prosper Northland Trust, backers of the Hundertwasser Wairau Maori Art Centre, yesterday announced they would commit to covering shortfalls for 10 years, increased from the four-year underwrite included in the initial proposal.

Plans for the former Harbour Board building are to be discussed today at a Whangarei District Council extraordinary meeting.

The recommendations in today's agenda will whittle down the proposals to three options - the Hundertwasser proposal, the Harbourside proposal, or to demolish the building completely.

Prosper Northland spokesman Barry Trass said the trust decided to extend the underwrite period after councillors expressed concern about it only being four years.

"We are so confident about this [Hundertwasser proposal] that, to allay some fears, we've decided to underwrite it for 10 years.

"We are very confident there will not be an issue, as we believe it will make a profit from day one," he said.

Councillor Phil Halse is expected to lead the charge to get rid of the Hundertwasser Wairau Maori Art Centre at today's meeting, saying there are still millions of dollars of costs to ratepayers.

"Council would be up for $4.7 million up front, as well as ongoing costs. There certainly is a cost to the ratepayers," he said.

But Mr Trass wants to challenge him as to where he got these figures from, and why he included money already spent in that figure.