Venetian glass chandelier to light up Queens Wharf

Artist Michael Parekowhai.

A 4.5 tonne Venetian hand-blown glass chandelier of native flowers, birds and insects is the centrepiece of a large public sculpture at the end of Queens Wharf.

New details of the sculpture by artist Michael Parekowhai were revealed yesterday, but images of the lighthouse in the form of a two-storey domestic home are being kept under wraps until the design is finalised.

The sculpture, budgeted to cost $1.5 million, has won applause from Waterfront Auckland, but its location at the end of the "people's wharf" has been questioned by the Waitemata Local Board.

To commemorate its 90th birthday, real estate company Barfoot & Thompson gifted $1 million to the city last year for a public sculpture and former council chief executive Doug McKay agreed to a ratepayer underwrite of up to $500,000.

Councillors want fundraising to secure more private sector backing and minimise the cost to ratepayers.

The house is planned to be built on a blue basalt plinth and have large windows, viewing platforms and a skylight to provide views of the chandelier's blue and green palette.

Councillors have asked if a New Zealand supplier can produce the chandelier, but arts staff believe this could compromise the artistic outcomes of the chandelier, which is budgeted to cost $705,000.

Michael Parekowhai has envisaged a Venetian hand-blown chandelier. One option is to bring skilled artists to New Zealand to make the chandelier, which measures 6m by 5m and will take six to eight months to create.

The Waitemata Local Board has questioned the sculpture's fit with Queens Wharf and is concerned it will impede sea views.

Waitemata and Gulf councillor Mike Lee said the sculpture was a jarring intrusion being imposed in the wrong place without public input.

The project has not been formally approved by the council, but has the support of Mayor Len Brown.