Panoramic spots to watch races

By WAYNE THOMPSON and AINSLEY THOMSON

Two new grandstands for watching the America's Cup races have been added to the free public vantage points on the North Shore.

One overlooks the Rangitoto Channel from the clifftop on the former HMNZS Tamaki, between Cheltenham and Narrow Neck Beaches in Devonport.

The other is a platform on a former pa site at Castor Bay and has commanding views of the race course in the Hauraki Gulf.

The Devonport vantage point was rescued from a Government plan to sell the 11ha for housing development.

The North Shore City Council won a court battle to have it protected as a reserve and it is now administered by the Department of Conservation.

Beau Fraser, the DoC Auckland area manager, said there was room for about 1000 people to see the yachts moving to and from the course.

He urged visitors using the nearby Narrow Neck reserve carpark to watch their children because the clifftop was fenced only at the obviously dangerous parts.

At Castor Bay, the platform and 250m of fencing comprise the third of four stages in the project.

Council parks officer Damian Herrick said J.F. Kennedy Park was one of the most favoured viewing spots because it was handy to parking and toilets.

The clifftop walkway from Mairangi Bay and Tatarata Pt to Beechwood Rd, Rothesay Bay, also offered good views.

Torbay offered public viewing points at the end of the Marama St reserve on Toroa Pt.

A clifftop walk at the northern end of Long Bay Beach also gave good views.

* An extra $370,000 is likely to be handed out to help Auckland promote itself and successfully host the regatta.

The Auckland City Council has been asked to approve the grant, which has already been recommended by the council's finance and corporate business committee.

The council has already committed $260,000 to the America's Cup welcome and victory parades, and has given a one-off $650,000 to Team New Zealand.

This grant followed the team's $600,000 payment for commercial and management rights over the Viaduct Basin.

Councillor Doug Armstrong said the last America's Cup regatta generated nearly half-a-billion dollars for the regional economy, and this year's event promised even more.

nzherald.co.nz/americascup