Banks Speech To Auckland Rowing Club
Official opening of Auckland Rowing Club’s new clubhouse 2.00pm, Saturday, 6 September 2003 Ian Shaw Park, Mount
Wellington Speech notes: Hon John Banks
Club president, Alistair Dryden
Club secretary, Paula Storey
Ladies and gentlemen
It’s good to see former local Councillor Ian Shaw here today.
Established in 1869, the Auckland Rowing Club is the oldest rowing club in Auckland and the second oldest in New
Zealand.
The club has a proud history - producing a number of international rowers and winning many national titles.
Auckland remains the only New Zealand club to have won the Prince Phillip Cup at Henley.
I understand today that the club is in very good heart, with membership well up.
Interestingly, 134 years ago the Club started its life at the bottom of Queen Street.
Here at Ian Shaw Park, Mount Wellington, the old clubhouse was built in 1970 on Auckland City Council land.
Today, as your landlord, I want to assure you all that the renewed lease is currently being processed and will be mailed
out to the club in the coming days.
Auckland City and the Auckland Rowing Club have enjoyed a long and successful relationship. We look forward to this
continuing.
This Ian Shaw Park is a hidden gem for many, but for others in the community it is well utilised and well appreciated. I
salute the Auckland Rowing Club for considering this and amongst other things, incorporating a public toilet into its
clubhouse design.
I salute all of those involved in bringing Auckland this bigger and brighter facility.
Over the past six months, the old clubhouse has been transformed to the tune of $1.4 million worth of extensions.
I acknowledge the ASB Bank Community Trust, the many generous benefactors of money and materials, as well as all the
people involved in the fundraising drive.
The project has taken many years of planning, numerous resource consents, and an enormous amount of voluntary work by
club members.
This club comes with strong traditions but it is also known for its innovation – and this building’s design exemplifies
innovation.
The end result has created a clubhouse you can all be truly proud of.
Auckland Rowing Club is of course a member of the Auckland Rowing Association.
Over the past year Auckland City has been working closely with Auckland Rowing in our joint vision to develop a Regional
Aquatic Centre and Marine Park at the beautiful Hobson Bay.
The proposed 2000 metre aquatic course would cater for rowing as well as a variety of other water sports.
You will all agree that an inner-city competitive rowing course will be of huge benefit to the sport.
Over the past 12 months we have also worked with the other Auckland cities, the regional council, and SPARC.
Today I am pleased to announce some good news and some good progress.
On Thursday, through our Recreation and Events Committee ably chaired by Councillor Scott Milne, Auckland City confirmed
its support for Hobson Bay.
Furthermore, subject to the Auckland Rowing Association achieving a buy-in from appropriate regional and national
sporting bodies, Auckland City Council will put $13,000 towards a location and feasibility study.
We now urge other local authorities, Auckland Regional Council and SPARC to come to the party with the necessary funding
to enable the proper investigation to occur.
Through the location and feasibility study all the options will be closely examined as well as the benefits and any
associated risks identified.
Making our shared vision for Hobson Bay a reality is a priority at Auckland City. That’s why we are putting our money
where our mouth is.
Well done Auckland Rowing Club. We are proud of all that you have achieved over the years and you in turn can be very
very proud of this new clubhouse.
(Plaque unveiling) It is with great pleasure that I now declare the new clubhouse for Auckland Rowing Club officially
opened on this day Saturday, 6 September 2003.