On Thursday, Auckland Council approved the construction of two outer dolphin mooring structures located between 80 and 85mtrs off the northern edge of Queens Wharf, connected by a walkway for berthing ships more than 300mtr long.
When Royal Caribbean International's 348mtr Ovation of the Seas made her maiden voyage to Auckland on December 27, 2016 she had to drop anchor in Waitemata Harbour and tender passengers ashore.
Ovation is making her second 2017/18 season and md Australia and New Zealand Adam Armstrong said that while disembarkation by tender is not the cruise line's preferred option for almost 6,500 passengers and crew, it acknowledges that Auckland is a key destination on New Zealand itineraries.
The estimated cost of the outer dolphins is NZ$10m to be recovered over time through cruise ship passenger levies proposed by Ports of Auckland which is owned by Auckland Council.
The dolphins are expected to be in place for New Zealand's 2019/2020 cruise season.
'This decision has taken a long time, but it is an important one,' O'Sullivan said. 'It gives the cruise industry an important signal that Auckland is ready to become a major hub in the South Pacific.
'Cruise ships are getting larger and we must be able to welcome them in order to reap the economic benefits from the fast-growing cruise sector.'
O'Sullivan said the improvement of Queens Wharf means cruise companies are more likely to choose Auckland to start and end voyages, attracting passengers and crew to the city before and after their cruises.
He said cruise lines will also reprovision in Auckland, creating jobs and demand for local produce.
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