John Roughan: City's change of mind a job well done

Murray McCully (L) and Mike Lee. Lee made a reasonable decision to change track on party central. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Auckland, according to our latest resident Prime Minister, is becoming a drag on the national economy. "As we have seen in the last few months it is hard to get a decision here," he told his party's annual conference (in Auckland) last weekend.

That was the climax of a couple of weeks of silly comment on Queens Wharf, not all of it from the Government.

Auckland has made a very good decision on Queens Wharf, and made it democratically. Moreover, the decision would not have been difficult if World Cup Minister Murray McCully had been as sensible as Mike Lee's regional council.

It is not easy in public life to change your mind. Even when your previous position was entirely reasonable and the facts change, you know you will be assailed for a it.

This week of all weeks you would think Key would allow that good leadership can have second thoughts. His Government was right to test the water on removing the mining ban from some areas of the Conservation Estate, and right to defer to public disapproval.

The fact that changed his mind was political, the fact that has changed Auckland minds was architectural. It was reasonable to argue for the removal of the ugly sheds from Queens Wharf until we saw what passes for architectural inspiration these days. I'm beginning to despair of the day architects discovered glass and plastic can be curved to make canopies so light they look like they are tied down by their supports.

In some places, such as the international terminal at Auckland Airport, the results are wonderful. But not everywhere. Queens Wharf needs something striking and unique.

McCully and Lee were right to invite design ideas as soon as they had agreed on the wharf's joint purchase last year. It was just possible an inspired idea was lurking in someone's mind or bottom drawer.

But by the end of last year it was evident no such gem was going to be uncovered in time for the World Cup. They didn't need to waste the last six months debating whether to refurbish the sheds for the Cup party and keep them until the day someone designs something better.

A cursory glance at Auckland's forums of public opinion would have told them the decision was not very hard.

Like many Aucklanders I went down to the wharf on a sunny Sunday in April when it was open for Lee and McCully to launch their latest plan for it, a big glassy design incorporating a ferry terminal and covered public areas on several levels that failed to excite anybody.

Everyone's interest that day centred instead on the sheds. Placards were carried and flyers were distributed by a group trying to save them.

By then I suspect Lee could see the sense in keeping them but having got the Government to help buy the wharf he felt obliged to support McCully.

McCully's judgment has been exposed by the World Cup on two fronts. His appointment of Andy Haden as an event ambassador was foolish and his failure to sack him for a careless insult to Polynesians was pathetic.

This month, when the regional council was persuaded to keep one of the sheds, McCully was very cross. He called Auckland local government a "train wreck" and his Prime Minister said they might move party central.

That was a cue for a round of media lamentation about Auckland's capacity for indecision. Radio spluttered, newspapers sneered, television panels agreed there was an "Auckland disease".

What nonsense. Auckland's disease was cured 20 years ago when its plethora of pocket boroughs that would not contribute to metropolitan projects, and often collectively undermined them, were forcibly amalgamated into four cities.

The four cities have agreed on most things that mattered. Auckland's has lacked only leaders who can propose major enhancements and also have the courage to ask Auckland to pay for it.

This big rich city should not have its hand out to national taxpayers for every major project. When I come to assess the Super City mayoral candidates I will be looking for a leader not a pleader.

On Queens Wharf, the regional council has made the right decision in defiance of the threat from a piqued Government to put its party central somewhere else.

That would have been a laugh. When cruise ships tie up at Queens Wharf to accommodate World Cup followers it will be party central regardless of what is done.

Now it is going to keep the big barn called Shed 10 with, I hope, wooden cladding and a wide openings on both sides. McCully is determined to build his plastic canopy alongside it but we are assured it will be dismantled after the event. Well done Mike Lee. Congratulations Auckland.