Queens Wharf, Auckland facts for kids
Queens Wharf is a large concrete pier in Auckland, New Zealand. It stretches out into the Waitematā Harbour from the end of Queen Street. This street is one of the main roads in central Auckland. The wharf used to be owned by Ports of Auckland, a company that manages the city's port. In 2010, the wharf was bought by the Auckland Regional Council and the New Zealand Government. They changed it into a special place for events, especially for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
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Where is Queens Wharf?
Queens Wharf is found where Quay Street meets Queen Street. This is right on Auckland's waterfront. The wharf points towards the north-northeast into the Waitematā Harbour.
It is very close to Auckland's old Ferry Building. The wharf runs alongside Princes Wharf to its west. To its east is Captain Cook Wharf.
The wharf is made of concrete. It covers a big area, about 2.9 hectares. It is 350 metres long and 85 metres wide. The wharf stands about 3 metres above sea level.
Until 2010, there were two large sheds on the wharf. These sheds were built in 1911 and 1914. Shed 11, at the far end, was taken down in late 2010. A new building called The Cloud was built in its place. This building was used for gatherings during the Rugby World Cup 2011. Shed 10 is still there, but it was updated for the World Cup.
A Look Back at Queens Wharf
The very first wharf here was built in 1852. It was made from wood. In the early 1900s, it was replaced with a stronger concrete wharf. Its original name was Queen Street Wharf.
Up until 2010, Ports of Auckland (POAL) used the wharf. They used it for moving cargo. The flat top of the wharf was often used to park cars that had just arrived. One of the sheds was a cool store, keeping things cold. The other shed was used by POAL and MAF for storage. MAF also used it for checking goods coming into the country.
What is Queens Wharf Used For Now?
The wharf was bought by the Auckland Regional Council and the government. Each paid $20 million to Ports of Auckland.
The Cloud Building
Before the 2011 Rugby World Cup, there was a plan to design a new look for the wharf. However, the ideas from the design competition were not very popular. So, a temporary building was created instead.
This building is called The Cloud. It cost about $10 million to build. It is a long, wavy-shaped building. It is used for many different events and gatherings.
The Future of the Port
The area around Queens Wharf is now managed by Panuku Development Auckland. They are looking at how the port might change in the future. More changes to the wharf will depend on a report called "Port Future". This report was expected to be finished by mid-2016.
