Wellington, Nov 26 NZPA - Time is running out to get Auckland's Queens Wharf ready for cruise ships for the 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC), officials told the Government today.

They were still working with local councils to get the waterfront area ready for development, Economic Development Ministry officials told Parliament's commerce select committee.

The plan remained to create a "party central" place for the RWC and a cruise ship terminal in the long term.

Ministry chief executive David Smol appeared confident the wharf area would be ready for the party central concept by 2011, but not so confident the cruise ship terminal could be ready in time.

"The window for the cruise ship terminal is closing quickly," Mr Smol said.

A recent a design contest for revamping was abandoned because key players were not happy with the finalists.

The Auckland city and regional councils said were they not sure about the quality of the designs and Auckland Mayor John Banks said he did not want to fund a sub-standard project.

The city council is funding the majority of the $74 million (correct) to strengthen and develop the wharf.

Those who entered the competition said they were hamstrung by the short time frame and a tight budget of $47m (correct).

Mr Smol said dealing with the wharf issue was complicated by dealing with multiple agencies and the fact that there were being replaced by a unitary council.