Auckland councillors have chosen a compromise option for creating an America's Cup village, opting to spread bases over three wharves each needing small extensions.

Photo: Supplied

After a three-hour meeting this afternoon councillors chose the $132m option to build eight bases across the Wynyard, Halsey Street and Hobson Wharves.

Team New Zealand had preferred a bigger and more expensive extension of Halsey Street wharf stretching 220m into the inner harbour.

Team chair Sir Stephen Tindall told today's meeting they could work with the option to spread the bases more widely.

The chosen option had been recommended by council officers, and backed early on by Auckland mayor Phil Goff.

Mr Goff and the council's chief executive will now negotiate detailed arrangements with the government and Team New Zealand before seeking final sign-off from councillors in mid-December.

Planning consent will be sought next year and the three sites in the plan will take 10 months to build.