Blues upset chiefs, Hurricanes knocked out
It was another big weekend of Super Rugby with the Blues beating the Chiefs 20-19 in a thrilling last-minute victory in Hamilton. Rugby writer and commentator Tony Johnson spoke to Corin Dann.
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RNZ News
an hour ago
- RNZ News
Speedway deal: Proposal to sell Baypark stand for $1, extend lease
Speedway could stay at Mercury Baypark until 2039. Photo: Supplied/LDR The community is being asked if speedway should stay at Mercury Baypark Stadium as the council decides whether to extend the club's lease. Baypark Speedway has called the Mount Maunganui stadium home since it was built in 2001 and has a lease to operate there until 2029. Tauranga City Council is considering a proposal that would extend speedway operations until 2039. The proposal would involve Speedway Racing Ltd buying the north stand of 15,600 seats for $1 and being responsible for its maintenance, while leasing the land from the council through the facilities arm Bay Venues. The council would retain ownership of the land and the north stand would be returned to the council at the end of the lease in 2039 for $1. Under the proposal speedway would buy and maintain the curved north stand at Baypark Stadium. Photo: NZME via LDR Baypark Speedway promoter Melissa Webb said the proposal was its preferred option for running speedway in Tauranga. If the agreement was approved, Baypark Speedway would bring more events to Tauranga that would not be limited to just speedway, said Webb. "This will be a positive for the city." Speedway would prefer a longer lease than 2039 because of the investment it would make, she said. "We intend on investing a considerable amount of money into improvements at the stadium, and we need the security and longevity for our investment." Webb said it was understandable the council wanted Tauranga ratepayers to have their say on the proposal. Councillor Kevin Schuler said before decisions about the proposal were made, the council wanted to understand the community's views. "This consultation is about testing the community's support for the proposal and weighing up what Mercury Baypark Stadium's future should look like for the next decade." The proposal provided a way for speedway to continue operating without placing immediate costs on ratepayers, he said. "If there's not strong community support for this approach, we'll explore alternative options for the site beyond 2029." Schuler said the north stand was in poor condition and required investment to remain operational. It was used almost exclusively for speedway events, around 15 times a year. "If speedway continues until 2039, it would be under new arrangements that shift the immediate cost and responsibility for maintaining the stand to Speedway Racing." "If not, there are potential opportunities to reimagine the site for future recreational or commercial uses that could serve the wider community from 2029." Tauranga City Councillor Kevin Schuler at the inauguration on August 2, 2024. Photo: LDR/David Hall Speedway was at risk of being displaced in 2022 when the commission governing the council had plans to replace the stadium with a multi-use sporting precinct for outdoor netball, track and field athletics and gymnastics. A protest was held and a "Hands Off Baypark Speedway" campaign was launched. There was also the threat of legal action if an agreement about speedway was not reached. In September 2023, the plans were changed to keep the stadium and pits and allow speedway to retain its current lease until 2029. Consultation on the speedway proposal closes at 5pm on 23 June. A drop-in session with councillors will be held at Mercury Baypark Arena Suites on 14 June from 10am to noon. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
RNZ News
4 hours ago
- RNZ News
Ryan Fox and the All Whites - a collaboration made in Canada
Ryan Fox wins Canadian Open and the All Whites stop by to watch after Canadian Shield game Photo: Collage/Photosport Golfer Ryan Fox was closing in on a second PGA Tour win and the All Whites had just claimed one of their biggest victories in more than a decade - both things happened in Toronto, Canada - so it makes sense that New Zealand sporting stars crossed paths far from home. Eight All Whites, who are also handy with a golf club, were at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley to watch Fox win the Canadian Open in a play off with American Sam Burns. All Whites captain Chris Wood said he "was a lot more nervous watching" Fox win the title than he is playing football. "You can't control anything," Wood said of being a spectator to the big moment. "And seeing a fellow Kiwi doing so well it was exciting to see, he's done fantastically well and having that opportunity to be there and watch that bit of history for him and qualify for the US Open and things like that, it's fantastic. "He was a gentleman and gave us time after after his round, to speak to us and let us in on a little bit of information and how he played and things like that." The All Whites' trip to the golf was fully signed off by coach Darren Bazeley. "I think it was a great opportunity. On a day after a game we go through pretty good process with recoveries, so they spent all morning going through recovery process with the guys and they had an opportunity to go and follow the final round and Ryan being there doing so well I think it was great. "They were very well looked after, which was nice, and got themselves on the TV, which was cool. "I think that's part of our culture, following wherever we are in the world, finding and following Kiwis and connecting. It's a big part of what we try and do is connecting, so it was a good day." Would Fox be in the stands at the All Whites' next Canadian Shield game against Ukraine? "Unfortunately, he had to fly straight out to the US Open," Wood said. "He said he would have liked to but he has a bigger fish to fry this week and hopefully he can do some damage in the US Open this week." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
5 hours ago
- RNZ News
All Whites secure best win in more than a decade
The All Whites had their best win in more than a decade when they beat a country ranked 45 places higher than them in the world rankings on Sunday. The one nil victory over the world number 41 Ivory Coast was New Zealand's first win over a team ranked that high since 2010. New Zealand's next challenge is to back up that success against the world number 25 Ukraine tomorrow morning. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.
