MESSAGE-IN-A-BOTTLE MEMORIAL

To create an internationally recognised public memorial and landmark for the City of Sails, Auckland, in New Zealand.

A 45m high glass enclosure for the FULL NZL32 complete with sails and mast, as she was when winning the 1995 America's Cup. This is in contrast to the well known glass box concept promoted by Te Papa, see below.

• The bottle is an interesting traditional display case for vessels
• The bottle enables NZL32 to be openly displayed 24-hours, in her entirety, with full mast, rigging and sails set
• Floating bottles, like yachts, lean with the wind
• Thus, the bottle and NZL32 offer a dynamic and iconic landmark for the "CITY OF SAILS"
• The bottle is the fabled sailors’ message carrier, and ‘what a message!’

This ‘nautical sculpture’ would suit an Auckland waterfront site where it could become an internationally recognized "visual salute" to New Zealand's phenomenal achiever - Sir Peter Blake.

A prime location is the seaward tip of Wynyard Wharf (the ‘Tank Farm’). Here it would be seen from afar as a giant floating bottle containing the subliminal message "New Zealand's finest achievements can be the World's finest".

A preliminary investigation into structural feasibility and constructability has been positive.

A preliminary indication of cost is in the range $7.5-9.5 million or somewhat more, depending on development options.

Depending on how well this website is received, the latest ideas will be realized in graphics for public viewing.

Developments proposed include:

• Stylization of the bottle shape and optimization of the glass panel layout
• Spiraling the structural frame with stairs to ‘top of the rig’
• Natural ventilation to reduce climate-control costs
• Advanced, subdued night-time illumination

The first draft was discussed early in 2004 with the late Sir Tom Clark, and later with others. In all cases reaction was highly favorable; Sir Tom’s words were ‘It’s bloody brilliant’.

However, it was generally deemed to be "too late" surfacing, and near impossible to promote in face of the head start by architect Pete Bosley for the Te Papa/Maritime Museum project – a glass box enshrouding the hull only. Sir Tom’s hands were already tied.

The course of creating this web-site has been taken, owing to the apparent lack of public support, and very slow progress with the glass-box that would enshroud a "decapitated" NZL32.

Evidence from the New Zealand Herald, quoted below, highlights that substantial private funding is now required if the offered government contribution is to be realized.

The first step must now be to seek public support and enthusiasm. In this regard the glass box seems to have ‘missed-the-boat’ (and the mast) from day one; otherwise one would be trying to find it in the old maritime museum today.

“The Auckland City Council has confirmed it will contribute $2 million towards the $8 million memorial to Sir Peter Blake at the National Maritime Museum on the waterfront.

The first images of the scaled-down memorial show the Princes Wharf side of the museum, pushed out at its northern end and largely wrapped in translucent panels.

The Government is giving $2.5 million, leaving the museum, under an agreement with Te Papa, having to find the other $3.5 million.”