The New Zealand National Maritime Museum has announced at a function in Auckland today that funding is in place to proceed with building BLUE WATER BLACK MAGIC – A TRIBUTE TO SIR PETER BLAKE. The project has been in an intensive fundraising phase for almost 2 years, to meet the full cost of the building and exhibition - $8.9 million. Grants, sponsorship and individual donations have been secured over this time, to reach this target, and building tenders will be called in May.
“We are very excited to be at this stage of the project. It has been an enormous undertaking, raising the funds needed to build this wonderful waterfront Tribute exhibition,” Alastair Aitken, Chairman of the Maritime Museum said today. “We are well progressed with working plans to enable us to secure a building consent, and we’ve already obtained all our resource consents. We expect to call for tenders in May and commence work around July this year.”
When the project was first presented in 2003, it was agreed that the design would be redeveloped and the costs of the project reduced. A new design by renowned Auckland architect, Pete Bossley, was announced in May 2006 reducing the overall cost of the project by an estimated $3.5 million. The new building will replace a segment of the New Zealand National Maritime Museum where the current Hall of Yachting is housed – at the northern end of Hobson Wharf in the Viaduct Harbour.
The exhibition it will house, BLUE WATER BLACK MAGIC – A TRIBUTE TO SIR PETER BLAKE features as its core, a tribute to the leadership and legacy of Sir Peter Blake, within the context of the history of New Zealand yachting and this country’s tradition of innovative yacht design, past and present and looking to the future. The exhibition emphasises learning and engagement with young people, with interactive elements to inspire teamwork and achievement.
The centre piece of the exhibition is NZL 32 Black Magic, the yacht on which Team New Zealand, led by Sir Peter Blake, won the America’s Cup for New Zealand in 1995. NZL 32 was gifted to Te Papa and the people of New Zealand by Team New Zealand in 2001. It will now be suspended in the Hall of Yachting, and the accompanying exhibition will surround the yacht over three levels.
Funds have been secured for the project from a range of public and private sources. Initial core funding was committed by the New Zealand Government ($2.5 million) and Auckland City Council ($2 million). The Lion Foundation and ASB Community Trust were the first funding agencies to commit support and their $500,000 grants were matched by The Southern Trust and Perry Foundation. The Lottery Grants Board Environment & Heritage Committee awarded $400,000 late in 2007. These commitments from Government, public, gaming and charitable agencies, are
augmented by commercial sponsorship and private donor
investment from Viaduct Harbour Holdings Limited, Louis
Vuitton, Tindall Foundation and three private individual donors.
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The total raised for the project meets the budgeted cost of developing the building and exhibition.
Mayor John Banks said today “This exhibition will be a wonderful addition to the waterfront, enhancing an area which the council recognises has huge potential. Everyone will benefit – residents of Auckland and the wider region, and visitors to our city. The engaging nature of the exhibition, and the lasting impression it will give all people will dramatically improve the waterfront experience for decades to come.”
Te Papa’s Chairman, John Judge, said today that the National Museum was delighted to be able to lend NZL 32 Black Magic to the Tribute exhibition and to have worked in partnership with the New Zealand National Maritime Museum to develop the project. “NZL 32 is a significant national treasure and I can think of no better place for it to be displayed than as the centerpiece of the Sir Peter Blake Tribute exhibition at the New Zealand Maritime Museum in the Viaduct Harbour, a harbour so closely associated with Sir Peter and many significant moments in New Zealand’s sailing history.”
“The Tribute honours the memory of Sir Peter Blake and places him in the context of the wonderful story of New Zealand yachting and innovative yacht design as a living and evolving exhibition.” Said the Prime Minister Rt Hon Helen Clark. “The exhibition is a fitting tribute to a great New Zealander and will be an inspiration particularly for young people. It will teach them about leadership and taking risks in order to achieve goals. It’s a great New Zealand story. We are also very pleased that Pippa Blake and Sir Peter’s family who have followed the development of the project are so supportive of it”.
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Blue Water Black Magic – A Tribute to Sir Peter Blake
New Zealand National Maritime Museum
Quote from ASB Community Trust CEO Jennifer Gill
“This exhibition will be a national tribute to Sir Peter, but it will also celebrate a significant era in our history,” says ASB Community Trust CEO Jennifer Gill.
“Rather than a static memorial such as a statue or sculpture, it will tell the story of a great New Zealand hero and about positive leadership.
“Central to its design is a commitment to engage young people and their families, encouraging them to explore the elements of leadership and determination that are critical to team and individual success.”
For further comment: Jennifer Gill 027 2468 016, or during office hours on (09) 360 0291
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Quote from Lion Foundation CEO Phil Holden
“This is a major project commemorating the life and work of a great New Zealander. As a charitable organisation dedicated to raising community funds, The Lion Foundation is proud to have been the first private funding agency to commit to this project when it was announced three years ago,” says Lion Foundation CEO Phil Holden.
“Sir Peter Blake was a hero, recognised all around the world, and this project will ensure that his legacy is remembered for future generations.
“His remarkable leadership style, his phenomenal success and his team approach, his personal determination and positivity are enduring qualities, and hallmarks of success. Blue Water Black Magic – A Tribute to Sir Peter Blake will bring those attributes and stories alive for generations of young New Zealanders.”
For further comment: Kirsten Wyllie, 021 507 675
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Quote from The Southern Trust CEO Karen Good
The Southern Trust proudly supports communities over a whole range of projects and throughout New Zealand, and we are very pleased to be committed to such a significant project as this,” says The Southern Trust CEO Karen Good.
“Blue Water Black Magic – A Tribute to Sir Peter Blake will provide an on-going experience for young people, who may not have personal recollections of Sir Peter or the extraordinary stories of his adventures and campaigns, but who can still enjoy his legacy through the exhibition.
“Blue Water Black Magic will be an enduring visitor experience, touching the hearts and minds of New Zealanders, telling some great stories of achievement and success, and offering a powerful and memorable educational experience for
families and young people.”
For further comment: Karen Good, 03-471-8471
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Quote from Perry Foundation CEO Grant Paterson
“Blue Water Black Magic – A Tribute to Sir Peter Blake will be an exciting new family-targeted museum experience for New Zealanders and overseas tourists to enjoy for many years,” says Perry Foundation CEO Grant Paterson. “The Perry Foundation is excited about helping to bring the concept to reality by completing the fund-raising target through a grant made at our March meeting.
“The Foundation is particularly impressed with the breadth of stories and experiences the Tribute will incorporate – personal accounts, interactive components, sounds, video and film footage, technology, models, memorabilia, photos, family targeted educational interactivities and other interpretive material. The detail and richness of these stories will inspire and connect with people, and the experience will stay with exhibition visitors long after they leave.”
For further comment: Cherie McCleery, Communications Adviser, 07 834 4285
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Quote from Viaduct Harbour Holdings Limited
“Viaduct Harbour Holdings Ltd, as a major stakeholder in the development of the public spaces around Auckland’s waterfront, is delighted to be a major sponsor of Blue Water Black Magic – A Tribute to Sir Peter Blake.”
“Blake was a man with big ideas; he was creative, forward-thinking and bold. He had a vision for New Zealand sailing and took all challenges head on, demonstrating true leadership. These traits made Sir Peter respected the world over. The Tribute will explore these characteristics as well as profiling many other key players, and innovative designers and thinkers in New Zealand’s boating industry. It will be a wonderful enhancement to the Viaduct Harbour experience.”
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Quote from Hon Rick Barker, Minister of Internal Affairs and Presiding Member of the Lottery Grants Board
“Young people who go to the water with their Optimist or P Class yacht will always be able to find inspiration in the legend of Sir Peter Blake. They will start where he did, knocking around the coasts and harbours of New Zealand, and who knows where their dreams and talents will take them.
Sir Peter's achievements as an ocean racer, explorer and winner of the America's Cup make him a stand out achiever on the world stage and without a doubt a great New Zealander. This Blue Water Black Magic display will help keep the memory alive and hopefully inspire generations of young New Zealanders to be the best they can be.
It was Sir Peter’s wish that NZL32 would become part of the national collection for the public to enjoy. The Lottery Grants Board’s Environment & Heritage Committee has been proud to help support that vision.”
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Quote from Stephen Tindall, The Tindall Foundation
“Central to the experience in this new Maritime Museum exhibition is the commitment to engaging young people and families to try out and explore the elements of leadership and determination that are critical to team and individual success,” says Stephen Tindall.
“The Tindall Foundation is proud to support the development of significant interactive exhibits within Blue Water Black Magic – A Tribute to Sir Peter Blake. These powerful exhibition elements will help visitors understand the remarkable exploits and stories being told, in a very engaging and enduring way.”
For further comment: Trevor Gray, Manager, Tindall Foundation, tel. 09 488 0170 or by email: admin.ttf@tindall.org.nz
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Quote from Louis Vuitton New Zealand CEO Mark Browne
“Blue Water Black Magic – A Tribute to Sir Peter Blake will explore all facets of Sir Peter’s life, from his early years as a young sailing enthusiast, to his blue water racing feats, the Louis Vuitton Challenger Series and the many America’s Cup campaigns he was involved with and, later, his endeavours with Blakexpeditions,” Louis Vuitton New Zealand CEO Mark Browne said today.
“Peter Blake was an extraordinary New Zealander and a man who worked as a tireless leader, team-player, motivator, sponsor advocate, father and husband. His legacy is profound, and Louis Vuitton is proud to be part of keeping that legacy alive for generations to come.”
For further comment: Mark Browne, Louis Vuitton New Zealand 09-358-0422
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Quote from Pippa, Lady Blake
“One of the most appealing aspects of this project is the opportunity it will offer young people to learn about Peter’s achievements and be encouraged to work hard towards their own goals. Peter enjoyed the freedom and opportunity of a New Zealand upbringing; he had the love and support of a close family that shared a passion for sailing. Like many New Zealanders of his generation he did not see the barriers just the opportunities and the adventure.
“When I was approached about developing an exhibition as a tribute to Peter I was delighted to give it my support because I could see it would be a place for families to have fun and learn together. I felt that this was something that Peter would support as it would show others his world, tell the stories of his favourite races including the Jules Verne and of course the success of the America’s Cup. At the same time it underscores the qualities that were important to him - friendship, teamwork and loyalty.
“Peter’s positive outlook was infectious; people were attracted to him because he was confident and passionate about what he did. This tribute to
him captures the essence of those attributes and I have no
doubt it will be a lasting source of inspiration for generations
to come.”
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Quote from Tony Blake, Sir Peter’s brother
“I am thrilled that the funds have been raised to enable this wonderful project to be completed."
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Quote from Sir Peter Blake Trust CEO Vicki Watson
“The Sir Peter Blake Trust has been established to honour the memory of Sir Peter by continuing with his work in environmental education and in recognizing and celebrating leadership,” said Trust General Manager Vicki Watson. “We have established a number of programmes specifically focused on developing young New Zealanders’ potential and capability as future environmental leaders.
“The proposed Tribute project planned for the National Maritime Museum is complementary to the Trust’s programmes and activities and we entirely support its development. In particular, we feel that it is important that there is an opportunity for New Zealanders (particularly young people) and for visitors to this country to learn and experience something of Sir Peter’s life – and to be inspired by that. The interactive nature of the exhibition planned has an important educational component to it and we see this as supportive of our activities which seek to engage young people in environmental stewardship and leadership for our future.”
For further comment: Vicki Watson, 027-537-6088