Public kept in dark over sculpture plans
Plans for the controversial sculpture on Auckland’s waterfront are rapidly progressing, but the public is still being kept in the dark.
The latest in the Queens Wharf lighthouse sculpture saga was revealed at a council meeting on December 4.
The $1.5 million artwork, a ‘‘state house’’ with a $700,000 glass chandelier inside designed by Michael Parekowhai, was commissioned after a $1m donation from Barfoot & Thompson.
It is now expected to be complete in mid-2016, more than two years behind schedule.
Developed designs of the house are complete but the council is refusing to publicly release the images.
The hand-blown chandelier was originally to be made in Venice but the council is now investigating whether it could be done locally.
Four potential chandelier suppliers have been identified and tender documents will be released in February.
The chandelier will follow traditional Venetian design and be made up of more than 90 gardens with kowhai flowers, flax leaves and wetas.
Waitemata and Gulf councillor Mike Lee says there has been a serious lack of public consultation. Lee joined forces with councillor Cathy Casey to push for an amendment in last week’s report to include the public in the ongoing process but it wasn’t accepted, he says.
The council has done a complete turn-around from labelling the sculpture a state house to an ordinary New Zealand home, he says.
‘‘The people in Auckland have indicated on a number of occasions how important they feel Queens Wharf is. For a group of three or four people to decide they’re going to have a state house, a lighthouse, whatever they call it now, on that site is unacceptable. This whole unhappy episode shows people about where the super-city is right now.’’
The council and Waterfront Auckland are searching for contributions to the $1.5 million total cost. The shortfall will come from the council’s public art fund.
Mayor Len Brown says it is an opportunity to ‘‘breathe light’’ into Auckland’s cultural and artistic beauty.
‘‘These works tell our stories, reflect the cultures that call our city home and invite people to enjoy our region.’’