Supporters

Takapuna Boating Club : North Harbour Charitable Club : Harbour Force : Spencer on Byron : Bruce Mason Centre : Takapuna Boating Club : Television Executive : Dr. Wayne Mapp MP : North Shore City Council Events Manager : Gulf Harbour Country Club : Takapuna Community Board Member : Takapuna Beach Business Association

The new Takapuna wharf will be the jewel in North Shore City's crown.

The proposed low profile wharf will nestle neatly into a position on the southern side of the reef lava flow . This reef already gives Takapuna Beach its protective natural amenity.

Here are some of the many advantages by having the wharf:

1.. The new wharf will provide an economic impact for the benefit of Takapuna business and an essential public saving in time and money by using the water transport from the wharf.

2.. Moving the commuting public to and from Auckland or Whangaporaoa it will also provide an essential and important sea link along our coast.

3.. Allowing the loading and unloading of pleasure boats.

4.. Improving the image and accessibility to Takapuna Beach as an alternative to the presently experienced delays on the congested motorway to Auckland and North.

5.. The yacht racing waters of Takapuna bay are regarded world wide as one of the best. In sailing terms, the Takapuna sailing course area is better than what Rugby regards Eden Park to New Zealand. Takapuna Beach is the requested venue for International yachting championships.

6.. It will assist and ease the conducting International or National regattas for the loading and unloading of race personnel and competitors.

7.. The pleasure boats being launched or retrieved at Takapuna beach would be made much more efficient. The car driver being able to get quickly onto the wharf instead of clogging up the ramp while one of the passengers holds off the boat (usually mum waist high and wet through) on the ramp while she waits for the car and trailer to arrive.

8.. It will be enjoyed by the young and appreciated by the elderly.

Let's make this proposed wharf happen.

Ralph Roberts MBE. JP
International Sailing Judge
President of Takapuna Boating Club
14-7-05

DEVONPORT WHARF IS THE STEPPING ON AND OFF POINT FOR HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE COMMUTING TO AND FROM THE CBD AND WAIHEKE ISLAND EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK. A WHARF AT TAKAPUNA WOULD PROVIDE AN IDENTICAL BUT MORE CONVENIENT FACILITY FOR CENTRAL NORTH SHORE RESIDENTS.

ONE ONLY HAS TO VISIT SYDNEY TO WITNESS THE FANTASTIC SERVICE FERRIES PROVIDED TO THEIR INNER HARBOUR SUBURBS. THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE NORTH SHORE TO HAVE A SIMILAR ASSET FOR ITS RESIDENTS. THE WHARF'S POTENTIAL TO ATTRACT TOURISTS VISITING THE REGION IS OUTSTANDING. YOUR URGENT SUPPORT OF THIS EXCITING PROJECT IS NEEDED NOW !

Bob Jago.
CEO Lexus of North Shore and North Shore Toyota.
Founding member and Past Trustee of North Harbour Charitable Club.

I am chairman of Harbour Force, a group of sector leaders around the North Shore/Rodney area passionate about the region and determined to see the region become a leading region in economic development. Members of Harbour Force include heads of Massey University Albany, AUT North Shore,  Bruce Mason Centre, North Harbour Stadium, Millennium Centre, Enterprise North Shore, Sport North Harbour, President of the North Harbour Club,North Shore Social Services, Principal Rangitoto College, town centre leaders and others.

One of the greatest problems we are endeavouring to correct is the lack of interconnectiveness between all the successful and striving businesses, community organizations and political structures interacting in the region.

The creation and development of physical assets like the Takapuna Wharf face the same lack of  interconnectiveness issues. Harbour Force fully supports the initiative and the creation of several wharves along the east coast beaches up to and linking with Gulf Harbour to enhance both the facilities available at many of our fabulous bays but also create a unique, fun and very enjoyable way to travel around Auckland.

The research of members have done have found everyone saying the same thing "we should have done it years ago". It should not  have to be sold as a tourist attraction, that is obvious to all but the very blind. It should not have to be sold as improving our quality of life,our activities and opportunities as we are a nation that loves anything linked with our sea.

Congratulations to all those involved with the Takapuna Wharf project for your determination and focus. Your success will be an inspiration to many that will follow.

Derek Dallow
Chairman, Harbour Force

Our hotel brings over 50,000 visitors to the North Shore annually who spend their money at local businesses, restaurants and bars. The bridge is a huge hurdle for any local or overseas tourist. The perception is that the North Shore is inaccessible.

Having a ferry service will enable us to attract far more tourists to the Shore. This will have a huge economic impact, not only due to increased employment but also through local spending.

Greg Remmington,
General Manager,
Spencer on Byron Hotel,
Takapuna Beach.

The existing events and activities of the Centre would benefit greatly with the completion of a wharf at Takapuna Beach.  It would also open up the area to visitors from Auckland, and attract tourists to our restaurants/cafes and shops.

The construction of a wharf at Takapuna Beach would complement the development of a major convention Centre at the Bruce Mason Centre and create a unique destination for delegates. 

The Centre also supports further wharf developments in the East Coast Bays area.  A wharf ‘system’ would open up the coast line and increase visitors to North Shore City.

New activities for delegates would develop from the close proximity of the wharf from the Centre.  For example, lunchtime/evening cruises, cocktail functions and accompanying partner activities.

It would open up Takapuna’s beautiful beach and village as an attractive destination for visitors to North Shore City.

Gillian Houser CFE JP
CEO Bruce Mason Centre
23 June 2005

Takapuna Boating Club fully supports and endorses the need for a wharf adjacent to the boat ramp at the Northern end of Takapuna Beach. Our Clubhouse and boat storage shed border this area and the waters off Takapuna beach provide some of the best recreational and competitive sailing conditions in the world.

A wharf would provide a safe and protected facility for us to transfer crews for our race management rescue craft at all tides and in all weather conditions. Current facilities are not fit for purpose.

We are host to local, national and world contests. We are also a venue for seminars and conferences, so a wharf would provide an ideal pick up point for those wishing to add a cruise to the participants’ agenda.

D.G.Cunningham
Secretary/Manager
Takapuna Boating Club Inc.

Thank you for the information regarding the Takapuna Wharf Project. As residents of Takapuna Beach, I can assure you we would welcome a wharf being re-built at the northern end of the beach. I can see it being used for charter work from Bruce Mason Centre conferences, for people like myself wanting to commute into downtown Auckland and for weekend day trippers wanting to either head to our beach or to head to the city. It would add to the beach culture of the heart of North Shore City.

I wish you well in you endeavours.

Trevor Egerton
Former CEO Prime Television

Takapuna needs a greater focus on its wonderful beach and harbour.    A ferry service can be part of the solution, getting more commuters appreciating the tranquility of ferries, and more tourists enjoying our city and harbour.    Now is the time to make the Takapuna Wharf a reality.

Dr. Wayne Mapp
MP for North Shore

A wharf at Takapuna Beach would be a great asset for not only Takapuna Beach but for North Shore City as a whole. A reason for Devonport's success as a tourism destination has a lot to do with the ease of access ferry transportation provides the tourist.  Providing tourists with safe, interesting and hassle free ferry transport to Takapuna Beach will help increase visitor arrivals and economic growth to North Shore City. Dedicated transportation is a critical aspect of growing the tourism industry and a ferry wharf and service at Takapuna Beach, will "open up" North Shore City to visitors willing to experience our wonderful lifestyle.

From an "events" perspective, a wharf at Takapuna Beach would attract and assist in the hosting of major aquatic events. As a viewing platform or as an event headquarters, a wharf would be a valuable asset to the events and tourism industry.  A wharf at Takapuna would be positive for the social and economic vibrancy of the North Shore."

Paul Dunphy
Events, City Promotions & Tourism Manager North Shore City Council

Takapuna sure needs a wharf!

I write this as one of the owners of Gulf Harbour Country Club, New Zealand’s premier international standard golf resort which is now the “home of the New Zealand Open.”

Additionally, as President of the North Harbour Club, I have the “ear” of the business leaders in the Harbour region.

Our experience at the 2005 New Zealand Golf Open where we hosted the top players from Europe and Australasia highlighted the need for water transport and an expansion of the tourist linkages between Gulf Harbour and the islands of the Hauraki Gulf.

Almost without exception, the North Harbour Club members support the wharf.  The relatively low cost of a wharf and the economic benefits in taking pressure off the roads, the tourist benefits and the unique way of life (fishing, strolling, boating, etc) that a wharf creates, makes this an absolute “no brainer”.  Let’s unite on the Shore and provide Takapuna with a new gateway and highway! 

Peter Wall
Gulf Harbour Country Club
and
President North Harbour Club

North Shore City prides itself on having the longest urban coastline in New Zealand, but all it’s wharves are located in the inner and upper harbour area. The city’s magnificent East Coast shoreline is effectively cut off from the Hauraki Gulf. We can see it from our homes and businesses…but it’s hard to get out to!!!

Wharves at Takapuna and Browns Bay would change all that. Suddenly we would have water access to our fine East Coast area by ferry, tourist cruises, charter boats, and private recreational craft. Trips to Tiri Tiri Matangi Island, Gulf Harbour, and the islands in the Gulf would become part of everyday Shore life. We would not have to travel into downtown Auckland city to take a ferry out to this beautiful recreational marine area!!

The 2008 Tornado World Yachting Championships are being sailed off Takapuna Beach. This major event needs a wharf at Takapuna Beach to cater for the many support craft, officials and media. The International World 14’s were also sailed off Takapuna last year and there will be many more such events in years to come. Takapuna Beach is recognised as a fabulous yachting location so it is vital we have the infrastructure to support these events.

When the Rugby World Cup 2011 is held in New Zealand…we need to be able to showcase the North Shore to the tens of thousands of tourists in the Auckland region. What better way to do this then by ferry trips to Takapuna and Browns Bay….and excursions out from these wharves to the Hauraki Gulf .  Just ask the question….when visiting Sydney would an average tourist go to Manly Beach if their only option was by bus?? Not likely…whereas the Manly Ferry trip is an extremely popular Sydney tourist attraction. Takapuna and Browns Bay can do likewise…becoming popular destinations for visitors to Auckland…and it’s not that difficult.

Andrew Williams
Member – Takapuna Community Board
Former North Shore City Councillor

Takapuna Beach Business Association supports the Takapuna Beach Wharf

With a Takapuna Beach wharf, the heart of North Shore City gains a prime artery to connect us with the Hauraki Gulf, the Waitemata Harbour, our neighbouring communities and Auckland City. 

For residents, businesses and visitors alike, the Takapuna Beach wharf is a fundamental gateway and needs to be fast-tracked to meet our present and future social and commercial existence, and to fulfill a connection to our natural environment.

A Takapuna Beach wharf is an achievable and realistic goal for our region.  If you are visiting the Takapuna Beach website, I urge you to be proactive in your support of this project by registering via the online petition (when available) and by contacting your North Shore City Council and Auckland Regional Council representatives.

Brad Clark
General Manager
Takapuna Beach Business Association