
Bid to find new operators for North Harbour Stadium fails
The North Harbour Stadium Steering Group, made up of the chairpersons and deputy chairpersons of the Upper Harbour and Hibiscus and Bays local boards, opened an expression of interest process in January but received just two submissions.
An evaluation panel found neither proposal met all the requirements and wouldn't be any better than the status quo.
Panel members unanimously decided to keep the North Harbour Stadium and Domain Precinct under its current management through Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, a council-controlled organisation.
"While the intention was to seek a new operator for North Harbour Stadium, the outcome needed to deliver on the key criteria laid out in the EOI (expression of interest) such as increased connection with the community and at least matching, if not improving on, the stadium's recent financial performance," local board chair Anna Atkinson said in a statement.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Independent financial analysis of the proposals received pointed to increased costs to ratepayers, when compared to the existing operating costs. The proposition of added financial burden to ratepayers, alongside assessment of other criteria within the proposals, was what led to the panel's recommendation of TAU (Tātaki Auckland Unlimited) remaining operators of the stadium."
rnz.co.nz

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

RNZ News
14-07-2025
- RNZ News
Auckland not keeping up internationally with land-use, housing and transport
Auckland's strengths are its quality of life and diversity, a new report has found, but these aren't enough to keep the city competitive. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi A report on Auckland's international competitiveness has found the super city risks falling behind if it cannot improve productivity. The third annual State of the City benchmarking report has identified strengths in sustainability, resilience and culture but also highlights disadvantages in opportunity, experience and location. The report was initiated by non-profit organisation Committee for Auckland in partnership with financial consultancy Deloitte and council-controlled cultural agency Tātaki Auckland Unlimited. " Weak economic performance , inadequate skills and innovation development, and disjointed and delayed planning are causing Auckland to lose ground, with the risk of falling further behind," Committee for Auckland director Mark Thomas said in a statement. "We must fix the productivity problem, back high-growth industries and innovation, actually deliver better transport and housing, and rebuild Auckland's reputation." He endorsed an "Auckland deal" under the government's City and Regional Deals programme . Auckland's strengths were its quality of life and diversity, the report found, but these were not enough to keep the city competitive. "This latest report shows Auckland isn't keeping up in key areas, but the green shoots of innovation and growth are a sign of what's possible if the city can drive higher productivity and create business conditions for sustained success," Deloitte chief executive Mike Horne said. "Auckland's productivity sets the pace for the rest of the country , so it has an opportunity - and a responsibility - to be bolder in lifting it." The report recommends the central and local governments address land use, housing, transport and regulatory settings which hindered productivity. It also recommended the council strengthen Auckland's international brand, and "develop a compelling story about Auckland's past, present, and future that communicates its values, culture, and ambitions to the world". Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

1News
08-07-2025
- 1News
Rich-listers pull out of Western Springs Stadium project
Auckland Football Club's rich-lister owners have pulled their proposal to take over Western Springs Stadium. 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


Scoop
07-07-2025
- Scoop
Auckland Wins Intelligent Transport Conference
Press Release – Tataki Auckland Unlimited Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland will host the 21st Asia-Pacific Intelligent Transport Systems Forum (AP ITS) in 2027, a three-day event focused on advancing the future of intelligent transport solutions. The forum will take place from 5 to 7 May 2027 at the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC), bringing more than 1000 delegates and an estimated $1.27 million in economic benefit to the region. The bid was led by Intelligent Transport Systems New Zealand (ITSNZ) with support from Tātaki Auckland Unlimited's Auckland Convention Bureau and Tourism New Zealand Business Events. It received high-level endorsement from New Zealand Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Christopher Luxon; Mayor of Auckland Wayne Brown; and New Zealand Transport Agency Chair Simon Bridges. ITSNZ Chair and President Armin Guttke says: 'We are very pleased to secure the hosting rights for this important international forum in 2027. The forum will showcase how the right policy and technology can address New Zealand's transport challenges – making the system safer, more equitable, sustainable and productive. The forum will also create opportunities for local innovators, attract international investment and deliver significant economic benefits.' With the theme Navigating Tomorrow: Advancing Intelligent Transport Together, the event will spotlight key technology-enabled developments in Auckland's transport network – including AI-powered network optimisation for roads and public transport, the City Rail Link, new electric ferries and Australasia's largest all-electric bus depot. Technical tours and demonstrations will include the University of Auckland Transportation Research Centre, a leader in dynamic wireless inductive charging, and ERoad, developers of New Zealand's nationwide electronic Road User Charges System. Ken Pereira, Head of Business Events at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, the region's cultural agency which attracts business events to the region on behalf of Auckland Council, says: 'This win supports our vision of Auckland as a global innovation hub. It shows we are open to international expertise and investment to grow our transport future, while also showcasing our homegrown technology and talent.' The conference is expected to generate more than 3000 visitor nights in Auckland, supporting local hotels, retailers and the wider hospitality and tourism sector. Tourism New Zealand Global Manager Business Events Penelope Ryan says: 'Delegates will not only be able to enhance their learning experience outside the conference venue through the city's new innovation and infrastructure; they'll also be able to enjoy the amazing activities, dining and culture of Auckland.' NZICC General Manager Prue Daly says: 'Our team is excited to welcome global experts in intelligent transport to NZICC in 2027, and with key infrastructure like the City Rail Link at our doorstep, we are well positioned for delegates to easily experience this transformative transport project. We look forward to hosting this valuable knowledge exchange within NZICC, while also ensuring our international visitors enjoy our manaakitanga and an authentic Aotearoa New Zealand experience.' Note ITSNZ is a not-for-profit peak body that supports understanding, development and adoption of Intelligent Transport Systems and technology-enabled transport solutions in New Zealand, to support a sustainable, efficient, safe and environmentally friendly transportation system.