Lighthouse sculpture costs rise to nearly $2 million

The stars of the southern skies surround a thoughtful Captain Cook who inhabits Michael Parekowhai's The Lighthouse. Photo / File

The bill for the Lighthouse sculpture on Queens Wharf has risen to nearly $2 million after the Auckland Council revealed its costs for the controversial project were about $450,000.

The sculpture, by renowned Maori artist Michael Parekowhai, has been paid for with a $1 million donation from real estate firm Barfoot & Thompson to mark its 90 years in business, and $500,000 from anonymous donors.

Five months after the artwork was unveiled in February to critical acclaim, the council today said its costs for the project were about $450,000.

The artist's work has been completed within the artwork budget, which amounts to the gifted $1.5m

Dean Kimpton, Auckland Council

Chief operating officer Dean Kimpton said the costs included staff time, feasibility work, the business case, resource consents, moving the sculpture to Queens Wharf from a construction site at Wynyard Quarter, shrouding the exterior in the final stages of construction, marketing and promotion.

He said these extra items are normally provided for any artwork gifted to the council, and relative to the size and scale of the project.

Some outstanding construction-related costs were still being negotiated with the contractor before the final cost will be known.

"We do expect these to be resolved soon, which will give us final project cost," Kimpton said.

Asked if the council and contractor are in dispute over construction costs, a council spokeswoman said as is typical towards the end of any contract, there are a range of issues and queries to be finalised before the final invoice can paid. These remain commercially sensitive, she said.

"The artist's work has been completed within the artwork budget, which amounts to the gifted $1.5m," Kimpton said.

The sculpture has been acclaimed by art critics and welcomed since its unveiling on Queens Wharf in February. It has faced artistic problems, public criticism and a tortuous council process.

The cost of the sculpture, based on a modest, two-storey Mt Eden state house, blew out to $1.9m thanks to plans for a Venetian glass chandelier depicting a glowing garden of native flowers, birds and insects.

But the budget was cut back to $1.5m when Parekowhai replaced the big light with a smaller installation that included a statue of Captain Cook and light installations representing the stars of Matariki, which guided early Maori navigators.