Auckland Council reopens consideration of new waterfront stadium

Plans for a new stadium on the Auckland waterfront are again under consideration with Auckland Mayor Phil Goff commissioning a feasibility study for a new city centre venue.

As reported by the New Zealand Herald, the Council’s Regional Facilities Auckland (RFA) division has commissioned consultants PwC to investigate potential sites, including Mayor Goff's preference for a stadium on railway land alongside Vector Arena close to the city's main public transport and hospitality facilities.

Originally proposed more than a decade ago by then New Zealand Sports Minister Trevor Mallard as a showcase venue for the 2011 Rugby World Cup and a replacement for the landmark Eden Park, interest in the venue was revived last year by New Zealand Warriors Chairman Bill Wavish.

Goff also advocated the railway site in his mayoral campaign.

The New Zealand Herald has this week quoted Mayor Goff as stating "we need to know what the options are for potential stadium sites in Auckland.”

Mayor Goff has previously said Auckland could not afford a ‘white elephant’, saying the 50,000-seat Eden Park was limited to 21 night events and could need another $250 million spent on it over the next 15 years.

He explained that the new venue, likely to cost in excess of $1 billion, “is not something I see as being a priority burden on ratepayers.”

He said the Council needed to find alternative ways to fund a new stadium, including contributions from major sporting codes, income from concerts, private sponsorship and selling assets, like Eden Park.

He added “the option of rebuilding Eden Park is still live but we need to know what other sensible alternatives exist to make the best decision for Auckland.”

RFA Chief Executive Chris Brooks said PwC had been commissioned to do a "pre-feasibility" study for a rectangular stadium with a capacity of 25,000 to 50,000 spectators.

He said a stadium of 25,000 would work well for the Warriors and Blues and football but that major rugby matches would need a 50,000-seat stadium.

Brooks said the study would look at potential sites in the CBD, the benefits of a stadium to the city, the market demand, the development of a stadium precinct, the broad costs of building and running a stadium, and planning issues.

PwC are due to report back in the middle of the year.

The proposal has drawn support from the Warriors who said they were prepared to shift their NRL games to a new venue if it were established prior to their tenancy agreement at Mt Smart Stadium ending in 2028.

The Eden Park Trust Board has previously opposed plans for a new city centre stadium.

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