Latest news with #AucklandCity
Scoop
a day ago
- Sport
- Scoop
The Skipper at the Heart our Club World Cup™ Journey
Press Release – Auckland City FC AUCKLAND, New Zealand – Auckland City FC is gearing up for one of the biggest challenges in its storied history, the FIFA Club World Cup ™ 2025 in the United States. Leading the charge is none other than club captain Mario Ilich, a stalwart defender who embodies the spirit of the team both on and off the pitch. Since making his debut in February 2012, Ilich has become the backbone of Auckland City FC's defence, playing 161 matches and even finding the net 13 times. But beyond the numbers, it's his leadership, intelligence, and sheer physicality that set him apart. As captain, he sets the standards, rallying his teammates and ensuring that Auckland City FC competes at the highest level. For Ilich, football is more than just a game, it's a passion rooted in his home city of Auckland. 'I grew up in Auckland and lived here most of my life,' he says. 'It's such a great city, it's got a bit of everything. Beaches, lovely walks, yeah, lots of great golf courses.' His deep connection with the city and its people makes him the perfect leader to represent Auckland on the global stage. A typical day in his life reflects the relentless dedication that has fuelled his success. 'Wake up at 5 a.m., gym, breakfast, then off to work by 7:30, finish by 5, straight to training for two hours, home by 8:30 or 9, dinner, and then do it all again.' This unwavering commitment is why he is admired not just by his teammates, but also by the young players who look up to him. 'All the kids that come and watch our games, all the kids we coach in schools, they all look up to us.' As Auckland City FC embarks on its Club World Cup™ quest, the team understands the gravity of the competition. 'Knowing that we'll be representing New Zealand at the FIFA Club World Cup™ 2025 is a huge privilege,' says Ilich. 'Obviously, we know how hard it's going to be coming up against massive teams and big players, but let's see what can happen.' With Ilich at the helm, Auckland City FC is more than just a team, it's a symbol of pride for the city of Auckland and a beacon of inspiration for young footballers across New Zealand. As the team prepares for battle on football's biggest stage, one thing is certain: their captain will lead them with determination, heart, and an unshakable connection to the city he calls home. Auckland City will take on European powerhouse Bayern Munich, Portuguese giants SL Benfica, and Argentine heavyweights Boca Juniors in Group C of the FIFA Club World Cup™.
Scoop
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scoop
The Skipper at the Heart our Club World Cup™ Journey
AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC is gearing up for one of the biggest challenges in its storied history, the FIFA Club World Cup ™ 2025 in the United States. Leading the charge is none other than club captain Mario Ilich, a stalwart defender who embodies the spirit of the team both on and off the pitch. Since making his debut in February 2012, Ilich has become the backbone of Auckland City FC's defence, playing 161 matches and even finding the net 13 times. But beyond the numbers, it's his leadership, intelligence, and sheer physicality that set him apart. As captain, he sets the standards, rallying his teammates and ensuring that Auckland City FC competes at the highest level. For Ilich, football is more than just a game, it's a passion rooted in his home city of Auckland. 'I grew up in Auckland and lived here most of my life,' he says. 'It's such a great city, it's got a bit of everything. Beaches, lovely walks, yeah, lots of great golf courses.' His deep connection with the city and its people makes him the perfect leader to represent Auckland on the global stage. A typical day in his life reflects the relentless dedication that has fuelled his success. 'Wake up at 5 a.m., gym, breakfast, then off to work by 7:30, finish by 5, straight to training for two hours, home by 8:30 or 9, dinner, and then do it all again.' This unwavering commitment is why he is admired not just by his teammates, but also by the young players who look up to him. 'All the kids that come and watch our games, all the kids we coach in schools, they all look up to us.' As Auckland City FC embarks on its Club World Cup™ quest, the team understands the gravity of the competition. 'Knowing that we'll be representing New Zealand at the FIFA Club World Cup™ 2025 is a huge privilege,' says Ilich. 'Obviously, we know how hard it's going to be coming up against massive teams and big players, but let's see what can happen.' With Ilich at the helm, Auckland City FC is more than just a team, it's a symbol of pride for the city of Auckland and a beacon of inspiration for young footballers across New Zealand. As the team prepares for battle on football's biggest stage, one thing is certain: their captain will lead them with determination, heart, and an unshakable connection to the city he calls home. Auckland City will take on European powerhouse Bayern Munich, Portuguese giants SL Benfica, and Argentine heavyweights Boca Juniors in Group C of the FIFA Club World Cup™.
RNZ News
24-05-2025
- RNZ News
Police swarm to incident in Northcote liquor store
Photo: RNZ/ Ella Stewart Police are responding to an incident at a block of shops in Auckland's Northcote. An RNZ reporter at the scene on Pearn Crescent said at least eight police cars could be seen outside Northcote Liquor, and about 15 police were working at the scene, at about 8pm on Saturday night. RNZ understands at least one person has been arrested, while police were still confirming what had happened. The road was cordoned off, but was reopened shortly after 8pm, and a crowd had gathered near the shops. A police spokesperson said no one had been hurt at the incident, and no firearms were involved. Photo: RNZ/ Ella Stewart Photo: RNZ/ Ella Stewart Photo: RNZ/ Ella Stewart Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
23-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
New Auckland CBD building height allowances too short, housing group says
Auckland's central city skyline. Photo: 123RF New height limits for skyscrapers in central Auckland are too restrictive, except for a few blocks downtown, an advocacy group campaigning for more housing says. Auckland Council has approved a zoning change for the city centre to allow unlimited building heights for a small section of the central business district and double height limits for the rest of the city centre to 20 storeys, or 72.5 metres. It expects that will allow four times the number of homes and businesses to be built in the central city. A map showing the Auckland City centre building height zones, recommended by IHP, including an extension of a Special Height Area. Photo: Supplied/ Auckland Council But Coalition for More Homes spokesperson Scott Caldwell said limiting most of the city centre to 20 storeys is too restrictive. "It's a modest improvement but it's really underselling what it could have been," Caldwell said. "They've allowed for relatively dense towers within the city core... but throughout much of the city centre, which are probably the parts that are most struggling, it's still quite blanket height limits." The tallest skyscraper in Auckland is the PwC Tower in downtown, which is 39 storeys. Caldwell said 20 storeys was akin to what is built around shopping centres much further out. "They reflect the same height limits you'd find in Westgate or Botany... rather than what you'd expect to find in downtown Auckland." He said a core plank of the business case for the City Rail Link (CRL) was urban redevelopment around the train stations. "It's hard to see how those benefits that the CRL promised will be realised," he said. "If you're going for 20 [storeys], why not go for 30 or 40, why restrict that near to a multi billion dollar train station? "It's extraordinarily frustrating, especially given the scale of the investment we're putting into the CRL and the way that needs to unlock the city." The zoning change relates to Plan Change 78, which council developed in response to the government's direction to increase density in the city. The plan change was publicly notified in August 2022 and allows council to make changes to its planning rules in the Unitary Plan. But widescale flooding in early 2023 in areas earmarked for intensification, alongside the scrapping of Auckland Light Rail, put a pause on upzoning - Housing Minister Chris Bishop granted council a one-year extension to notify changes on its new intensification rules. Photo: Supplied / Ruth Kuo Plan Change 78 is seen as null and void outside of the city centre: for the rest of the region, the council is working on a new plan change that will take into account natural hazards such as flood prone areas. For the city centre rezoning, an independent hearings panel established to hear public submissions and evidence on Plan Change 78 made recommendations to council, which were accepted by its Policy and Planning Committee this week. Mayor Wayne Brown said the changes would unlock development. "As a city resident, I'm pleased plans to increase density to allow more growth in the central city under Plan Change 78 are now done and dusted. When I look at the swathes of people coming in and out of the city to work every day, this makes a lot of sense. It is also one of three growth areas highlighted in my manifesto ." Councillor Richard Hills chairs the committee and said it would allow for four times as much future growth. He said the new height limits would encourage development near the new train stations. "It also supports our investment in the City Rail Link and other city centre upgrades, which is also helping to attract $6 billion of private-sector investment. This further strengthens the city centre's role as a hub for jobs, housing, retail, hospitality, culture and community." The planning changes will be publicly notified this month, then included in the Unitary Plan, which comes into effect in June. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
17-05-2025
- RNZ News
Armed police swarm Auckland's LynnMall looking for person of interest
Photo: RNZ The public is being urged to follow the police's instructions as armed officers swarm LynnMall in Auckland. Police say they are looking for a person of interest after an earlier incident. No shots have been fired but some officers will be armed as a precaution. Hato Hone St John says it was not called to attend. Police say there is no further information. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
