Rich-listers pull out of Western Springs Stadium project
The privately funded venue focused on football, Auckland Arena, was backed by entrepreneur Anna Mowbray, her husband, former All Black Ali Williams, American businessman Bill Foley, and New Zealander and NBA player Steven Adams.
It was one of three options for the future of the stadium that went out for public consultation in May.
Auckland Council's economic and cultural agency, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU), earlier told councillors they favoured the Auckland Arena proposal.
The decision comes just weeks after Mowbray and Williams' controversial resource consent application to build a helipad at their multi-million dollar Westmere property was approved.
ADVERTISEMENT
TAU chief executive Nick Hill told RNZ on Tuesday they were informed by the backers of the Auckland Arena concept for the stadium that they had withdrawn their submission to the expression of interest (EOI) process relating to the future use of the stadium.
"We were disappointed to hear of the withdrawal of the Auckland Arena proposal. The EOI evaluation panel and our board had deemed it to be the most positive solution for Auckland.
TAU was set to provide a recommendation to the council on which proposal to go ahead with at an upcoming meeting on July 31.
Hill said the TAU Board would put off advising councillors on the issue until after the city's local government elections in October.
"Western Springs Stadium is a historic and valued asset with huge potential. We need to consider the public consultation feedback before deciding next steps. We are committed to making a recommendation that will deliver positive outcomes and provide certainty for Aucklanders."
Auckland Councillor Shane Henderson said the outcome was frustrating after significant time and resources were spent hearing from the public.
"We've had a really difficult conversation with the public with some high emotion, and to find out on the morning of the release of feedback to councillors that one of the options we asked the public about has pulled out is a disappointing outcome.
ADVERTISEMENT
"It [the withdrawal] affects the rest of the consultation."
He said councillors were set to select an option for the stadium this month, but a conclusion to the months-long debate was now looking much further away.
He said it was too early to know if the council would need to consult the public again.
"There's every chance that might be an outcome because this consultation appears to have had the well poisoned."
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including deadly Texas floods, Australian woman attacked by a lion, and Elon Musk's new political party. (Source: 1News)
No clear favourite in feedback to council
The council revealed on Tuesday it received 14,894 submissions on how the stadium should be used during the consultation period, which went from 19 May to 15 June.
ADVERTISEMENT
Feedback showed a wide range of views and there was no clear preferred option, the council said.
Of the individual submissions, 33% supported the option to explore other ideas, which included returning speedway to the stadium where it had been for the past 100 years.
Another 30% of individual submitters favoured the CRS records proposal, Western Springs Bowl, which would offer a live music and festival venue and 5000 to 8000-seat boutique stadium for community and semi-professional sport, including Ponsonby Rugby Club, whose lease of the stadium expires in 2027.
The now ditched Auckland Arena idea was backed by 21% of individual submitters, while 16% preferred to keep things as they are.
Feedback from organisations showed 35% wanted other options explored, 33% preferred Western Springs Bowl, 29% preferred Auckland Arena, and 3% wanted things to stay as they were.
The council said TAU had advised that they needed more time to assess the remaining options before recommending an appropriate path forward.
It said they expected to provide newly elected councillors with advice on the matter early in the next council term.
ADVERTISEMENT
rnz.co.nz
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
43 minutes ago
- Otago Daily Times
Iconic Fonterra brands Mainland, Anchor sold to French company for $3.8b
Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook Dairy co-operative Fonterra has sold its consumer businesses to global dairy giant Lactalis for $3.845 billion. The businesses being sold include major brands such as Mainland, Anchor and also processing operations in Australia and Sri Lanka. The sale to the French-based dairy company included a long-term agreement for Fonterra to sell milk and ingredients to Lactalis. "As the world's largest dairy company, Lactalis has the scale required to take these brands and businesses to the next level," Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell said. "Fonterra farmers will continue to benefit from their success, with Lactalis to become one of our most significant Ingredients customers." Lactalis chief executive Emmanuel Besnier said the consumer businesses would strengthen its growth strategy across Oceania, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. "Combining the Fonterra consumer business operations and market leading brands with our existing footprint in Australia and Asia will allow Lactalis to further grow its position in key markets," Besnier said The sale included Fonterra's global Consumer business, excluding Greater China, and its consumer brands, as well as the integrated Foodservice and Ingredients businesses in Oceania and Sri Lanka, and Foodservice business in the Middle East and Africa Foodservice business. In addition to the base value of $3.845b, there was potential for a further $375 million increase from the inclusion of the Bega licences held by Fonterra's Australian business, which if progressed would take the headline value of the transaction to $4.22b. The Co-op was targeting a tax-free capital return of $2.00 per share, which was about $3.2b, following completion of the sale. The deal was expected to settle in the first half of 2026, subject to a number of conditions, including regulatory and shareholder approvals. Fonterra said shareholders will be asked to approve the deal at special meeting to be held in late October or early November.
Techday NZ
an hour ago
- Techday NZ
Raghav Sibal promoted to lead APAC for Manhattan Associates
Manhattan Associates has promoted Raghav Sibal to Vice President, APAC, as the company expands its leadership in response to increased demand for cloud and AI-enabled supply chain solutions in the Asia-Pacific region. The promotion follows a period of significant financial performance for Manhattan Associates, with cloud subscription revenue in Asia-Pacific growing by 49% year-on-year in 2024, and services revenue rising by 21%. The figures suggest a marked increase in demand for cloud-first technology, particularly supply chain management solutions that incorporate artificial intelligence. Raghav Sibal has been with Manhattan Associates for more than two decades, contributing operational and international expertise across both US and Australian markets. Since taking on the role of leading the Australia and New Zealand business in 2011, Sibal has overseen substantial growth in the region, building a high-performing local team and helping position the company as a trusted technology partner for retailers, distributors and logistics providers. Leadership recognition President and Chief Executive Officer at Manhattan Associates, Eric Clark, commented on the appointment and the importance of regional expertise as demand evolves. Clark said, "Over the past 14 years, Raghav has played a pivotal role in establishing Manhattan Associates' strong foundation and continued growth in Australia and New Zealand. With the APAC region undergoing rapid transformation and expansion, the time is right to elevate his role. He brings the operational expertise, customer-first mindset and regional insight needed to accelerate our vision for unified supply chain commerce across Asia-Pacific." As Vice President, APAC, Sibal's responsibilities now extend to the company's operations throughout Asia-Pacific, encompassing emerging markets such as China, Southeast Asia and India, as well as established markets in Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Regional expansion and digital transformation Sibal commented on the unique opportunities and challenges of the APAC region. He explained, "APAC is an incredibly diverse region, with each market presenting unique challenges and opportunities. As supply chains continue to evolve and digital transformation accelerates, I'm excited to work closely with our teams, partners and customers across the region to help them unlock new levels of efficiency, resilience and customer experience." The Asia-Pacific market for supply chain and commerce technology has undergone rapid change, marked by greater adoption of cloud and artificial intelligence. Manhattan Associates' continued year-on-year growth signals strong regional momentum, particularly in supporting customers responding to evolving digital and operational requirements. The company's APAC operations are tasked with servicing new and existing opportunities, including those in emerging markets such as China and India, in addition to more established locations. The broader scope of Sibal's role reflects the company's intent to align leadership with its increase in market presence and heightened customer demand for supply chain digitalisation. Since joining Manhattan Associates, Sibal has led multiple complex implementation programmes globally. His expanded regional responsibilities will continue to focus on supporting commercial partnerships, overseeing technology deployment, and helping customers adapt to swift changes within digital economies across Asia-Pacific. Manhattan Associates provides software and platform technologies for supply chain and omnichannel commerce, servicing a range of enterprises in the retail, distribution and logistics sectors. The company's stated aim is to drive both revenue growth and profitability for its customers through a combination of information integration and supply chain execution.
1News
5 hours ago
- 1News
Fonterra to sell consumer businesses - including Mainland and Anchor - for $3.8b
Fonterra will sell its global consumer brands, including Anchor and Mainland, and associated businesses to French dairy giant Lactalis for $3.845 billion. Last year, the announcement of the move to sell off some of its supermarket mainstays was described as the "most dramatic major structural change" in history of the business. In a statement released today, Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd said the sale was subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals expected in October or November, and was expected to be completed in the first half of 2026. A block of Anchor butter (Source: Getty) "There is potential for a further $375 million increase from the inclusion of the Bega licences held by Fonterra's Australian business, which if progressed would take the headline enterprise value of the transaction up to $4.220 billion," it said. ADVERTISEMENT The inclusion of the Bega licences held by Fonterra's Australian business would be confirmed once a dispute with Bega Cheese Limited was resolved. As part of the sale agreement, Fonterra will continue to supply milk and other products to the divested businesses, meaning New Zealand farmers' milk would still be found in dairy brands including Anchor and Mainland. A bottle of Anchor milk (Source: 1News) It said it would target a tax free capital return of $2 dollars per share, which was approximately $3.2 billion, following completion of the sale. Fonterra Chairman Peter McBride said the Board had thoroughly tested the terms and value of both a trade sale and initial public offering (IPO) as divestment options over the past 15 months. "Following a highly competitive sale process with multiple interested bidders, the Fonterra Board is confident a sale to Lactalis is the highest value option for the Co-op, including over the long-term," he said. "Alongside a strong valuation for the businesses being divested, the sale allows for a full divestment of the assets by Fonterra, and a faster return of capital to the Co-op's owners, when compared with an IPO." ADVERTISEMENT Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell said the sale agreement was a great outcome for the co-op. Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell. (Source: 1News) "As the world's largest dairy company, Lactalis has the scale required to take these brands and businesses to the next level. Fonterra farmers will continue to benefit from their success, with Lactalis to become one of our most significant ingredients customers." The divestment is also conditional on separation of the businesses from Fonterra and no material adverse change arising before completion. The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including the Menendez brothers fight for freedom, the level of unhealthy ads our kids see, and the Black Ferns eye up a three-peat. (Source: 1News) Fonterra will now seek farmer shareholder approval to divest the businesses by ordinary resolution at a special meeting to be held in late October or early November. "Fonterra's previously announced FY25 earnings guidance of 65-75 cents per share remains unchanged and our FY26 earnings guidance will be announced as part of the FY25 Annual Results in September 2025," said Hurrell. "The Co-op expects its FY26 earnings per share to be presented on a continuing operations basis and exclude the performance of the Consumer and associated businesses during the pre-completion period." The sale comprises Fonterra's global Consumer business (excluding Greater China) and Consumer brands; the integrated Foodservice and Ingredients businesses in Oceania and Sri Lanka; and the Middle East and Africa Foodservice business.
