Fran O'Sullivan: Is Auckland up for it again?

Will it get the new cruise ship terminal in place by Rugby World Cup 2011? Photo / Brett Phibbs

In the Herald's first 'Project Auckland" special report we asked whether "Auckland is up for it?"

In November 2006, the big question then in front of Aucklanders was whether the city would get a brand spanking new waterfront stadium in time for Rugby World Cup 2011 - or opt for an enlarged Eden Park.

The Labour Government had offered to help bankroll a stadium across two wharves at the bottom of Quay St.

But Labour's then Economic Development Minister Trevor Mallard threw the decision to "Auckland to make". Auckland City was "for it".

The Auckland Regional Council cautioned it would disrupt the Ports of Auckland business. We ended up with Eden Park.

Two and a half years later the National Government has thrown a new challenge to Auckland's leaders. After a weekend of hard bargaining, John Key's Government yesterday announced it had struck a deal to buy Queens Wharf - as the site for a new cruise ship terminal and entertainment venue - after reaching an agreement with the Auckland Regional Council for each party to pump in $20 million to buy it from Ports of Auckland.

"Last week I announced that the Government had secured Queens Wharf as 'party central' for the duration of the Rugby World Cup - a 'fan site' for people to gravitate to during the tournament," Key said.

"The challenge now, is to Auckland city leaders who must move swiftly to begin the infrastructure programme that will transform this now publicly-owned space into a world-class waterfront attraction.

"We have bought an asset that, if developed properly, will have a major impact on Auckland's and New Zealand's economic performance."