A phoenix palm is threatening the financial viability of the Pah Homestead in Auckland, the permanent home of the Sir James Wallace art collection.
The $50 million art collection went on show at the TSB Wallace Arts Centre in 2010 following a $6.7 million refurbishment of the Hillsborough homestead by the former Auckland City Council overseen by then mayor John Banks.
The protected palm tree is in the middle of a proposed site for a marquee meant to generate income from functions and catering for the James Wallace Arts Trust.
Auckland Council's arts, culture and events committee today heard that the palm, which both the Historic Places Trust and the council's heritage department have insisted be retained, is compromising the viability of the functions business.
It was envisaged the marquee could generate a sustainable income for the trust by 2015, the same year a council grant of $150,000 for the arts programme ends.