Auckland Council considers demolition of North Harbour Stadium

Describing it as “the least-used facility in the Auckland outdoor regional stadium network”, Auckland Council has released a consultation document on the future of its North Harbour Stadium - with demolition as one of three options being considered.

Noting the “high cost to run the stadium and fund upgrades” and its low usage and attendance

the high cost to run the stadium and fund upgrades, the Council is considering the venue’s future as part of its Long-term Plan 2024-2034, which is currently open for public consultation.

Opened in 1997, the 22,000-capacity in the suburb of Albany is part of the larger North Harbour Precinct, which includes five community playing fields, the main stadium, a smaller No 2 ground and the Albany Stadium Pool - all is owned and operated by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU) on behalf of the Council.

The Council has set out three options for the future of the venue.

The first suggest maintaining the operation of the venue as it is with the Council to invest in essential renewals budgeted at $33 million over 10 years.

The secondly option suggests a redevelopment of the precinct, which could include deconstruction of the existing stadium, to better deliver for the needs of the North Shore community and the greater Auckland region, funded through the reallocation of the $33 million funding, the sale of some precinct land while retaining the existing community playing fields, and any other external funding available.

The third option is to change the operational management of North Harbour Stadium to ensure greater use by the community. Changes to operational management are being considered in addition to either of the first two options.

TAU Chief Executive, Nick Hill, believes the point has been reached at which stakeholders need to consider the future of the stadium, telling news website Stuff this week “the data shows that it’s just not being utilised at a level that justifies the current stadium and the council is looking to use its assets and facilities as efficiently as it can. That does force the community to make some choices and I think we’re at that point.

“COVID forced the issues to a head. It wasn’t utilised as much as the other stadiums before COVID and coming out of it, the other stadiums have recovered and North Harbour hasn’t shown any signs of being in demand.”

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown described the venue as a “white elephant” in November last year.

Click here to view the consultation.