Britomart's ban on bureau has councils fuming

By STUART DYE

A decision to ban a tourism bureau from the Britomart terminal has been branded as "ludicrous."

Station bosses say there is no room for a Tourism Auckland centre in the former Chief Post Office, despite its labelling as the new transport and tourist hub of Auckland.

Herald columnist Brian Rudman revealed last Friday that the tourism bureau was moving in beside the casino in the Skytower instead.

The network operator, ARTNL (Auckland Regional Transport Network), has found kiosk space in Britomart for a key cutter, florist and grocer.

But it says plans for a visitors advice bureau operated by Tourism Auckland have been dashed because there was room for only one tourist bureau.

An office for private rail operator Tranz Scenic was more appropriate, said ARTNL chief executive Martin Gummer.

The decision has angered city councils around the region who fund Tourism Auckland.

Auckland City councillor Victoria Carter described it as a bureaucratic nightmare.

"This is petty politics at its worst. It's ludicrous. The council must throw its weight around to get what is a very worthwhile centre into the right place."

Auckland City Council pays $1.645 million for Tourism Auckland. Manukau provides $300,000 and North Shore City, $100,000.

ARTNL is also funded by the Auckland City Council.

Local politicians yesterday said ARTNL's decision made no sense and should be reversed.

"I'm not aware of the internal politics, but surely having the office at Britomart makes sense. Maybe that's just too logical," said North Shore City Mayor George Wood.

The chairman of Manukau City's economic development committee, Bob Wichman, said that perceived competition between Tranz Scenic and Tourism Auckland would be better for customers and business.

"They should allow them both in there and when visitors come through the centre everyone wins," he said.

"Tourism is a huge money earner and when we fund this organisation we should do everything to make sure what we have is promoted to its full potential."

Tourism Auckland's chief executive Graeme Osborne said tourism was the shining light of the economy.

But he felt that ARTNL's decision was a commercial one and not a political one.

Mr Gummer said ARTNL would not bow to political pressure. He said it was a strictly commercial view and not something politicians should get involved in.

"Tranz Scenic came out ahead of other potential tourism industry tenants. The alternative of having both would have forced out other tenants."

Mr Gummer said other kiosks in front of the building would become available within weeks.

"It would seem that these would be better suited to Tourism Auckland."