The Stop Stealing our Harbour (SSOH) advocate group was protesting against the Auckland Council’s proposed $10-million 90-metre mooring extension to Queens Wharf to dock over-sized cruise ships.

“The 90-metre extension will remove a sizeable portion of the Waitematā Harbour from public use and further industrialise the ‘People’s Wharf’ – one of Auckland’s most important waterfront public spaces,” says SSOH spokesman, Michael Goldwater.

“We need Aucklanders to join us in sending a very loud message to Mayor Phil Goff and his council,” says Goldwater. “We want to save our harbour for future generations and celebrate a waterfront that will accommodate the commercial, environmental and social opportunities of a growing city. With smart and innovative solutions rather than knee-jerk, ad hoc, short-term assumptions, Auckland’s waterfront and harbour can sustain our exciting economic growth as well as retaining its world-renowned natural beauty.”

The mooring structures, euphemistically known as ‘dolphins’, and the connecting gangway have been proposed by council agency Panuku and Auckland Council.

Amongst those opposed to the extension are CBD business association Heart of the City, Auckland heritage groups, resident associations, urban design groups and members of the boating community, including Fullers Ferries.

Speakers at the rally included organiser and MC Michael Goldwater; architect, NZIA Distinguished Fellow and chair of Urban Auckland Julie Stout; Auckland City Centre Residents’ Group’s Nolene Buckland; architect Tony Van Raat; MP for Auckland Central Nikki Kaye; City Vision Waitematā Local Board member Pippa Coom; and yachtsman Chris Dickson.

The findings from an independent commissioner’s hearing into the resource consent deliberations are due to be announced shortly.

For further information about Stop Stealing our Harbour, click here.