Rugby World Cup partygoers will do some of their drinking under a giant tent planned for Queens Wharf on the downtown Auckland City waterfront.
The 100-metre long tent would be erected on the eastern side of the wharf and two 98-year-old cargo sheds would be demolished to make room.
Ownership of the wharf was transferred to the Government and Auckland Regional Council earlier this month and architectural firm Jasmax would design the temporary tent as "party central" for the rugby tournament, the New Zealand Herald reported today.
The tent would be 12 metres high and 25 metres wide.
Earlier plans for the party central for the cup included a $100m cruise ship terminal which would be a party base for cup fans from around the world.
However, Heart of the City chief executive Alex Swney said 82 percent of Aucklanders rejected a rushed plan for a hybrid cruise ship terminal and party centre, the newspaper reported.
Auckland Regional Council chairman Mike Lee said Jasmax had produced a design for an attractive, temporary and covered space for the cup tournament.
He said the structure had not been approved by the Government or regional council, which were expected to share the multi-million dollar cost.
Auckland Mayor John Banks said the Government and ARC should consult the public before making a final decision.
He said he would work with the Government to "develop a sensible outcome for party central".
