Orakei tourist plan gets grant

A $16 million Maori tourism venture proposed for Tamaki Drive is one step closer to being built after it won a $100,000 Government grant yesterday.

Te Pa, which will tell the story of Maori through technology and live cultural performance, was awarded the Regional Initiative and Technology New Zealand grant.

Te Pa is a joint venture of the Ngati Whatua o Orakei Trust Board and Oceania Attractions.

Oceania Attractions chief executive Kim Hegan said the project, which centres around a fish-shaped building using waterscreen technology, would employ between 70 and 100 people.

The Auckland City Council resource consent was still being processed and another building approval looked set from the Orakei Reserves Board, he said.

Building is expected to start in January, with a planned opening date of December next year.