Blake memorial planned for waterfront

11.45am

The life of New Zealand sailing hero Sir Peter Blake is to be commemorated on the Auckland waterfront, Sport and Recreation Minister Trevor Mallard said today.

The memorial would be a permanent museum exhibition to include NZL32 Black Magic, the yacht with which Sir Peter and Team New Zealand won the America's Cup in San Diego in 1995.

Mr Mallard said the Government had committed $2.5 million towards the $10 million project, which would also commemorate the environmental work Sir Peter began before he was shot dead by pirates in Brazil in December 2001.

"It's important that Sir Peter's legacy is remembered for future generations of New Zealanders," he said.

"The proposed exhibition -- Blue Water Black Magic -- will ensure a lasting tribute to a New Zealand hero and icon who was recognised the world over."

He said the memorial was the result of discussions between Sir Peter's widow Lady Pippa Blake, the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa in Wellington, the National Maritime Museum in Auckland, and the Auckland City Council.

The city council had agreed to contribute to the project, which marked a first-time partnership between the two museums, which would lead a fund-raising drive and aim to complete the project in 2005.

The Team New Zealand Trust donated NZL32 to Te Papa in 2001 but it has been on display recently in the carpark at Auckland airport.

"We welcome Te Papa to Auckland," said Auckland mayor John Banks.

"This $10 million landmark exhibition will be a fitting and living tribute to Sir Peter Blake. It will be a significant infrastructural asset for Auckland. It will substantially add to the Maritime Museum and will provide a boost to local tourism."

The mayor said it was a unique opportunity for Auckland to have significant new investment in the Maritime Museum and the Viaduct area, funded 80 per cent by a third party.

Designed by Auckland architect Pete Bossley, the structure to house NZL32 will consist of large concrete pillars secured in the seabed surrounded by coloured and textured glass to reflect the sea and sky environment.

Access to the new wing will be via an interactive exhibition space. It will consist of a number of sections, each telling the story of a particular period in Sir Peter's life.

Lady Pippa said the announcement meant NZL32 would be exhibited to the public and to people from all over the world.

"It also means that proposals for an exhibition hall commemorating all aspects and facets of Peter's life, including his yachting and environmental endeavours, will be realised," she said.

Sir Peter was shot dead on board his yacht Seamaster during a journey on the Amazon River. He was 51.

The Aucklander first made his name in ocean sailing, and he skippered Steinlager 2 to victory in the 1989-90 Whitbread Round-the-World Race (now the Volvo Ocean Race).

In 1994, he helped to set what was then a record for a non-stop circumnavigation of the globe, with the crew on the catamaran Enza New Zealand completing the feat in 74 days and 22 hours.

The following year, Sir Peter led Team New Zealand to victory in yachting's biggest prize, the America's Cup.

He stayed on to head the successful defence of the cup in Auckland in 2000 before leaving Team NZ.

Before that defence, Sir Peter had championed the redevelopment of the Viaduct Basin, next to the National Maritime Museum, as the focal point of the regatta.

Sir Peter's brother, Tony Blake, described the plan as "a wonderful concept".

"I really like the glass wall they have put in so you get all the reflective light from the water up through and underneath the boat," he said.

"When you walk around the building and if it's raining or whatever, you can feel like you are out there among the weather."

- NZPA

Herald Feature: Peter Blake, 1948-2001

Further reading: nzherald.co.nz/americascup