Plans are underway to create new helipad and berth for super yachts at Auckland's Wynyard Quarter.
Representatives from Auckland’s newest five star luxury hotel had been planning to have conversations with Panuku’s waterfront transformation team about super yacht services, luxury tourism operators and helicopter charter businesses to bring helicopters into Wynyard Wharf in time for hosting the 2021 America’s Cup.
The five star Park Hyatt, slated for opening at the end of November this year, wants to offer their guests, some 80 percent of whom will be international visitors, the chance to skip Auckland traffic.
“The people staying at our hotel are high flyers, who like to fly private craft from Auckland to other cities,” said a Park Hyatt spokesperson. “We know from our Sydney Park Hyatt that international performers with concerts around Australia like to be based in one place and fly in and out to the other cities. That will be the same here, and they won’t want to deal with Auckland traffic or congestion on Quay Street.”
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The proposal is for helicopter landing permits at the end of Wynyard Wharf, around the spot where the sea planes already come in, she says. It is away from existing accommodation and hospitality in the quarter and the helicopters will fly in and out only during daylight hours.
Duthie Lidgard of Superyacht Suppliers says that some 30 percent of his international clients have helicopters on their yachts, so will want landing spots to come in and out of the city.
Right now he’s fielding enquiries from some 150 vessels – the largest up to 120 metres – seeking one of 50 to 55 new berths proposed around the Viaduct Marina, Silo Marina and the Wynyard bases. Lidgard says that many of the vessel owners will want to fly in and out of the city for sightseeing or business – or even just into the hotel for dinner, if they are moored out of the city.
Residents in the Wynyard Quarter or Viaduct apartments will not be affected by flight movements as they will be at the end of the challenger bases on Wynyard Wharf, with safe approaches and departures well away from built up areas.
Real estate agent Ollie Wall, of Graham Wall Real Estate is delighted with this development.
“In my experience, helicopters are a lot like jet skis – the only ones enjoying them are the people on them, but I think it’s a great idea.
“The Viaduct and Wynyard are quickly becoming the heart of our beautiful city. Surely you wouldn’t move there if you didn’t want a bit of the action? Anything we can offer to temp the super wealthy to spend their time and money here, is a good thing for Auckland city.”
Airlift New Zealand general manager Lachlan Jones, is driving the application for a heliport on Wynyard but says that many other operators are interested in the opportunity to get visitors out to see the rest of New Zealand.
“It’s a logical and exciting opportunity to offer Auckland residents and increasingly sophisticated domestic and international travellers an accessible heliport in the heart of the city,” he says.
“It makes sense to create a central helicopter facility. It’s been spoken about for a long time, as it’s increasingly difficult using Mechanics Bay, so this is an opportune time to secure the future of helicopter access in Auckland City.
“We’re looking forward to working with the council, the public and other organisations in putting together a world class solution which will further progress Auckland’s charge forward as a truly world class destination.”
And if you can’t fly in and out? The Park Hyatt will also have a public dock in Lighter Quay with direct access to the hotel for private charters and commercial users.
