Auckland has one of the world’s finest inner city harbours. We need a waterfront worthy of it.

Events of the past six months confirm how important it is for the new Auckland Mayor and Council to treat as a priority the development of a master plan for the Auckland waterfront from Wynyard point to Bledisloe Wharf.

First, the government and the Auckland Regional Council bought Queen’s Wharf. The Prime Minister announced that it would be ‘party central’ for the Rugby World Cup. A cruise ship terminal was also proposed. A design competition was established. When the designs were deemed inadequate, the competition was canned. Meanwhile the government and officials have since come up with a new plan for a $100 million cruise ship terminal which they want built in time for the Rugby World Cup.

Some have criticised me for showing the government the courtesy of giving the new plan due consideration. It is clear that the government wants us to drive something through before the World Cup and they believe they can get something useful built in time. They have come to the region with a serious new design and I believe as responsible leaders we owe them the courtesy of considering it. The new design should be put in front of the people, all the facts should be put on the table, and we should decide the best way forward

Like Mike Lee, Bob Harvey and Andrew Williams, I actually think the new design looks quite good. I like the way it slopes down to the water, I like the open public spaces, and I think the building looks quite striking while retaining the functionality we are going to need.

But, as I added to media, a nice design is not enough. To proceed, in the absence of any waterfront blueprint, there needs to be compelling reasons, and a really strong economic case. Contrary to reports, I haven’t said I simply support building it in time for the Rugby World Cup, only that I’m happier with the new design and that all of Auckland should have a say about what should be developed.

I can see why some of my colleagues support the proposal. And I congratulate the government for the work and effort it is putting in. But while I have a lot of sympathy with the view that we should just get on with it – that Auckland is too slow to move – the waterfront is Auckland’s jewel, and it needs a striking plan developed involving the community.

Unless there were compelling reasons to the contrary, the Auckland region’s ratepayers funds shouldn’t be spent until a comprehensive strategy has been developed. I haven’t seen sufficient evidence that would make me decide to support this proposal before we have developed a comprehensive plan. Moreover, I suspect that if it was to proceed, the Auckland ratepayer would be paying over and above in order for the building to be completed in time. A $100 million building is no small project.

Nonetheless, I strongly support a cruise ship terminal and there will be one built on Auckland’s waterfront. But while it will help to will attract more ships, we do not have to rush it. We will still see plenty of cruise ship traffic visiting Auckland, as they have up until now.

And in the interim, it seems most likely that the Auckland City Council, the ARC and the government will end up developing a temporary venue which will provide a central venue for fans during the Rugby World Cup. I intend, to offer that my full support.

Meanwhile, I am baffled as to why some people are proposing developments on Bledisloe Wharf. That’s not to say it might not be the right place. It might well be. But, equally, Queen’s Wharf might be the right place. But until we have done the hard work designing a waterfront blueprint, we need to forget about ad hoc proposals.

What I do know is that wherever I go around Auckland, the locals tell me they are sick of politicians playing divisive political games with a part of their waterfront.

They want the grandstanding, bickering and posturing to end. They know this kind of politics isn’t going to deliver a great Auckland. Indeed it’s one of the reasons we need a change of direction in this city.

I have said before and I’ll say it again – I believe all of Auckland’s communities deserve a say about what happens on Queen’s Wharf because all of Auckland’s ratepayers will be carrying the bill.

What we need is a coherent plan for the development of the harbour. The waterfront is too important to Auckland’s future to be held ransom to political agendas or a take-it-or-leave it approach. The construction of a beautiful mixed-use cruise ship terminal and a public building on Queens Wharf has to be seen in the context of developing the Wynyard Quarter and Tank Farm, Te Wero bridge, the Marine Events Centre, North Wharf, the finger wharfs and the new harbour crossing.

We don’t need Wellington to be seen to be telling us what do to. We do, however, need to work with the government and not shout at them.

Auckland has one of the world’s greatest harbours. We need to develop it in an inclusive coordinated manner that delivers a waterfront we can all be proud of.