New 'party central' design released

An artist's conception of how Queens Wharf will look next year with a multi-purpose temporary facility named The Cloud. Image / NZ Govt

The latest design for the troubled Rugby World Cup "party central" at Queens Wharf has been released, with Prime Minister John Key saying it would do a great job opening up Auckland's waterfront.

The temporary structure, which designers have christened "The Cloud", was revamped after original plans to demolish the current two sheds on the wharf were abandoned in favour of leaving one of them there.

It will hold just under 6000 people, fewer than the 8000 the original structure would have held, though some of the extra people will be accommodated in the refurbished Shed 10.

"For six weeks next year Queens Wharf will be a hub of activity for our international visitors and New Zealanders," said Mr Key, who is also the Tourism Minister.

"It will be a place where we watch rugby games, enjoy live music and festival events, wow international guests and media with views of Auckland's stunning harbour, and showcase the best of New Zealand with displays and events."

Mr Key said the structure would be used for concerts and festival events, as a fan zone during Rugby World Cup matches, and for hosting.

The mezzanine space would be used as an international media lounge and for VIP hosting.

The structure will also include a Tourism NZ site which would promote the Real New Zealand festival of events staged during the tournament.

"This is an exciting design, which alongside developments in the Wynyard Quarter will do a great job opening up the Auckland waterfront to the public and the 85,000 overseas visitors who will travel here for the Rugby World Cup," Mr Key said.

The then Auckland Regional Council and the Government bought Queens Wharf in 2009 with the intention of turning the space into "party central" for the World Cup.

The original temporary structure design, nicknamed "The Slug" by critics, involved having both sheds pulled down.

Auckland Regional Council chairman Mike Lee initially described the sheds as "old, cheap and nasty", but heritage lobbyists subsequently convinced the council that the sheds had heritage value and should not be totally pulled down.

New Zealand Historic Places Trust (NZHPT) chief executive Bruce Chapman hailed July's decision to retain the shed at the time as "a significant and pragmatic result".

- NZPA