Tauranga Maori representatives are arguing spending $350,000 on a new Maori canoe shelter on Tauranga's waterfront will result in more long-term economic benefits for the community.

Puhirake Ihaka and Peri Kohu want council to continue work on a new Maori canoe shelter.

Council is proposing deferring the project to save money, but in submissions to the annual plan hearings Puhirake Ihaka and Peri Kohu say the project should be kept in the budget because of the wider economic benefits it will bring.

Much of the planning on the project to create a whare waka for two canoes, larger than the existing whare waka on The Strand, has been undertaken in the last six to nine months, says Puhirake.

'It's to a stage where some of the work is ready to commence,” says Puhirake.

Peri is speaking for Ngai Tamarawaho and Puhirake is making submissions on behalf of the Tauranga Moana Tangata Whenua Collective representing 13 hapu and three iwi, and the Otamataha Trust.

Jointly they hope undertaking carving for the double canoe house on site will be a visitor attraction, bringing spectators in to the site to watch progress, and spend more time in the area.

'We have got a whare waka behind the trees at the end of The Strand, I don't believe people know it's there,” says Puhirake.

'For the visitors that come to the city it doesn't mean much because they don't see it.

The name Tauranga itself comes from the connection with the waka, says Puhirake.

'All the waka that traditionally used to come into this harbour would anchor up, stay for a while and they knew they were pretty safe. It's that connection and where do we showcase that?”

The plan is to have more than one waka on display under a shelter that will take two side-by-side along the waterfront. It will be an attraction for cruise ship visitors and will give them a reason not to travel to Rotorua, says Puhirake.

Local iwi have been discussing the project, making plans and preparing designs for the carvings that will decorate the whare waka.

Puhirake says if the projected halted now momentum will be lost and they will have to begin again in a year on what is expected to be a one or two year project.

'If we are going to do it eventually, why wait.”

Last week's 150th commemoration at Pukehinahina means that hill will never be the same, says Peri.

'It will become a must see for visitors to Tauranga.”

'We have worked with council for more than 20 years on different projects along the waterfront some of which did not come to pass,” says Peri.

'I do not want this to be another one of those.”