The Government's move to secure Queen's Wharf on the Auckland waterfront in time for the 2011 Rugby World Cup has been called ironic by the Mayor of Wellington.

Prime Minister John Key says the Government and the Auckland Regional Government are each paying $20 million to buy the wharf from Ports of Auckland.

It would become 'party central' for the duration of the World Cup, a 'fan site' for people to gravitate to during the tournament.
However, the PM said Queen's Wharf  would also become a cornerstone asset in a wider waterfront development programme.

The city's position as a destination for many of the world's cruise ships was also a factor in the purchase.

However, Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast, who is also Vice-President of Local Government New Zealand , said the speed of the Government’s purchase of Queens Wharf has raised the eyebrows of  Wellington council members, given the recent discussion on the role of local government,

“There is a certain irony in the Minister of Local Government promoting more transparency for councils while the Prime Minister is busy purchasing land with the Auckland Regional Council for a party for the Rugby World Cup, without any consultation with the community.

“Our concern is that the Government seems to be saying to our councils: ‘do as I say, not as I do’ or perhaps (they are) getting in quickly with these decisions before the Minister of Local Government introduces his new processes for these big-ticket items.

“According to the proposals before Cabinet, future decisions of this sort would have to be consulted on with the community via referenda, firstly to establish if this qualifies as a core service, and secondly, whether ratepayers want the council to spend their money on it,

“The Prime Minister also says the challenge now, ‘is to Auckland city leaders who must move swiftly to begin the infrastructure programme that will transform this now publicly-owned space into a world-class waterfront attraction.’

“In fact, these decisions ultimately will have to be ratified by the Government-appointed Auckland Transition Agency as these funding decisions will have ongoing impacts for the new Auckland Council,” said Ms Prendergast.