Consortium behind Auckland waterfront stadium releases new designs

The consortium behind the proposed new stadium in Auckland's Wynyard Quarter has released new design renders for the 55,000-seat venue.

Designed by Populous, the new venue would be part of a wider complex including an indoor arena and an outdoor amphitheatre.

Speaking to Auckland’s Newstalk ZB, Richard Dellabarca, head of the Wynyard Point consortium head, said the location for the venue is one of the “best sites in the world”, noting “we’ve got the best stadium designers in the world.

“The reason they’ve joined us is because they think this is an amazing site, one of the best they’ve seen in the world, and they have the ability to create something really iconic for New Zealand.”

Advocating for the proposed new venue, Dellabarca went on to share his belief that Auckland’s four current stadia - Eden Park, Go Media Stadium Mt Smart, North Harbour Stadium and Western Springs - is unsustainable.

Noting that Melbourne has 10 AFL teams, yet used just two stadiums to host their fixtures, he added “from a fiscal perspective, it makes no sense to continue with the four stadiums.”

Auckland’s multi-decade ‘stadia wars’ has seen different stakeholder group advocate for the city’s existing venues.

Auckland Council is currently reviewing the future of the North Harbour Stadium, with one option being demolition while the Eden Park Trust has released a plan for extensive upgrades to New Zealand’s largest stadium, including the addition of a new retractable roof.

Images: The latest concepts for a new stadium at Auckland’s Wynard Point. Credit: Populous.