Prime Minister John Key yesterday unveiled new plans for the Cloud that will host large-scale events, but made only passing reference to Shed 10, which the Auckland Regional Council (ARC) is sprucing up at a cost of $4 million.
Last night, ARC chairman Mike Lee, who is also the new Auckland councillor for the ward, said he had been left off the guest list for Mr Key's announcement, although Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully insisted he had been invited.
Mr McCully and Mr Lee fell out in July, after Mr Lee changed his mind on an agreement between the ARC and the Government to remove both cargo sheds for a temporary structure.
Lingering sniffiness has resulted in the partners making separate announcements within days of one another - the regional council with its plans to refurbish Shed 10 and dismantle Shed 11 at the northern end of the wharf, and the Government unveiling its plans for the Cloud.
Mayor-elect Len Brown told the largely corporate crowd "we are putting the arguments behind us and from this point forward it's full steam ahead".
Mr Key said the Cloud - dubbed the "Slug" by others - would be capable of holding 6000 people for a range of big events, including a Tourism New Zealand visitor site, the REAL New Zealand festival and concerts.
At 4430sq m it is smaller than earlier plans for a 6000sq m structure capable of holding 7800 people.
Asked what Shed 10 would be used for, Mr Key said it could be used as a terminal for two cruise ships that will be tied up to Queens Wharf during the Cup, hosting some events and maybe a place for markets.
Outgoing Waitakere City mayor Bob Harvey, who has been appointed to head the waterfront development agency, said there had been a lot of pressure surrounding the Queens Wharf matter "but this beautiful tent, the Cloud" will look absolutely dazzling from the water and the land.
The Cloud will be erected and fitted out between February and August next year.
Once the Cup is over, the waterfront development agency will decide what to do with the temporary structure.
