The Auckland Regional Council says an international cruise ship terminal will not cost as much to build as the Auckland City Mayor says.
Ports of Auckland is making Queens Wharf available to be used as "party central" for the duration of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
The Government is also hoping to purchase the wharf outright.
Auckland City mayor John Banks says it will take more than $100 million to build an international cruise ship terminal.
However ARC chairman Mike Lee says that figure is ridiculous.
He says public access for the Auckland region and an attractive, fit-for-purpose cruise ship terminal could be very affordable if Auckland city "changed its mindset about having to gold plate everything".
