The majority of Tauranga City councillors are opposed to a proposal to put the 75-metre Waka Maori on Tauranga's waterfront.

In a confidential briefing on Monday, councillors were brought up to speed on the project's feasibility by Mainstreet Tauranga co-ordinator Sally Cooke – who first put the idea to council earlier this month.

Two councillors suggest the Waka Maori should feature at Coronation Park, Mount Maunganui.

The Waka Maori Project Team includes is made up of Sally Cooke, Bay Venues Ltd chief executive Gary Dawson, Priority One chief executive Andrew Coker, and TCC project manager Tony Bodger.

The team is assessing a proposal to bring the $2 million pavilion, dubbed the Tupperwaka, from San Francisco and re-assemble it on The Strand reclamation area – ideally before the end of the year.

It is understood up to 100 car parks could be lost as a result of the pavilion becoming a feature on Tauranga's waterfront, where it would stay for two-five years.

A full report, including a business case, is expected to be put to TCC in November.

SunLive asked each of the Tauranga City councillors, and Mayor Stuart Crosby their views on the Waka Maori coming to Tauranga and its proposed placement on the waterfront.

See below for full comments.

Their responses show a majority open the pavilion coming to Tauranga but opposed to the waterfront location.

Councillor Bev Edlin says the proposal holds some merits in terms of much-needed conference and display rooms, but the looming question is its exact location given the sheer size.

She says a thorough feasibility and business plan needs to be undertaken including alternative locations.

'The issue of size is one that needs further consideration because if it's sitting straight on the waterfront it be blocking a lot of the view and blocking a lot of the activity.

Councillor Clayton Mitchell says he is '100 per cent behind the idea, but I'm 100 per cent against the location”.

Councillor Rich Curach agrees with Clayton saying the waterfront location is a 'Definite no no”, but until a final proposal is presented everyone must look at it with an open mind.

Councillors Gail McIntosh and Catherine Stewart believe a more appropriate location might be Coronation Park in Mount Maunganui.

Gail, citing public feedback received through her advertisement in The Weekend Sun, says of the 200 responses, 88 per cent don't want the waka in Tauranga.

Responses:

Stuart Crosby: 'From my perspective I want to see the more detailed report coming to council in November and make an assessment from there.

'As a concept I support the waka bringing more people down to the waterfront, but there is a lot of 'buts' in the project with regards to visual amenity and viability.

'Early stages, it's too hard to call but I certainly support a project that would bring more vibrancy and people to the city for sure.”

Kelvin Clout: 'I imagine that most of those who are vehemently opposed to the waka on the waterfront have never seen it or been through it. It was voted the number one tourist attraction during the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

'I believe it will bring a much needed boost to the CBD, and present opportunities to showcase our innovative businesses, heritage and culture; as well as being a fresh and unique event and function centre.

'The waka must be either on the water or the water's edge; there is no point having it inland. My preference is to position it on some form of pontoon or breakwater, rather than the northern Strand carpark.”

Matt Cowley: 'No comment until I've seen the report. The briefing was more of a meet and greet with those externals running the process.”

Bev Edlin: 'The size is of concern to me. If we could put that – and we can't we know that – in the water, but if we could put it in a different angle or it could fit without being cumbersome then you could see the value of the asset.

'There is no reason why we can't look at other locations. Waterfront would be great for Tauranga City Council.”

Rick Curach: 'The waterfront is a definite no no from my perspective. The waka proposal may have some merit, but an alternative location might be the challenge.

'Some councillors have talked about putting it on a pier, so it's not perpendicular to the waterfront. It's at a right angle so it won't obstruct the view so much, but the cost would be huge.”

Gail McIntosh: 'If it's got to be anywhere it got to be at Coronation Park, along by the cruise ships, along that back wall.

'I don't want any ratepayer money in there. I would allow them to put it on TCC land as long as it wasn't used for something else and The Strand is used for something else."

Clayton Mitchell: 'I think it would be a great benefit to the city in so far as a cultural attraction, as an educational opportunity, as a creative events facility, I think it will be good for our cultural sector.

'Do I support where they are initially planning to put it on the waterfront? Absolutely not. I am 100 per cent behind the idea but I'm 100 per cent against the location.

'I think we need to get a full comprehensive community engagement from this.”

Catherine Stewart: 'It's quite massive so given we went through a city plan process, and that was about an open public space that could utilised for events, I would question the bulk and size of it being suitable for the waterfront.

'I would prefer a more authentic waka rather than a plastic one.”

Steve Morris: 'If we can get it to Tauranga that's great; that's a $2 million conference centre that we are essentially getting for free, so long as there is no substantial rate payer input.

'For me personally I don't think the waterfront is the right place, it would dominate the space.

'I personally think Coronation Park would be a great space, but the reality is because it is being led by Downtown Tauranga...obviously if they are leading the project I think the last thing they would want is for it to head over to the Mount.”

Councillors Bill Grainger and John Robson could not reached for comment.