Latest news with #EdenPark
Reuters
2 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
McKellar seeing progress at Waratahs despite Super Rugby exit
June 1 (Reuters) - New South Wales Waratahs head coach Dan McKellar is confident his team is moving in the right direction despite missing out on the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs following their 46-6 loss to the Auckland Blues at Eden Park on Saturday. McKellar's side needed to win against the defending champions to sneak into the top six places in the standings and earn a berth in next week's championship rounds, but the Blues prevailed with wing Rieko Ioane scoring a hat trick of tries. The result leaves the Waratahs in eighth place in the 11-team competition and seven points adrift of the playoff spots as the squad missed out on the post-season action for the second year in a row. "There's always pressure and there's been progress," said McKellar, who took over from Darren Coleman ahead of the current campaign. "We've won six games this year, but we wanted to win more. The progress is in the daily detail. "We understand we represent a very big organisation, and a very proud one, and we want to get us back to the top group within the competition. "But it's going to take time and changing daily habits and how things have been done for a long time and we're getting there." The road back to the Super Rugby summit remains a long one for a Waratahs side that finished with little more than half the total points of table-toppers the Waikato Chiefs and having conceded 134 more points than they scored. McKellar, however, plans to give his players a week to recover from the season before starting preparations for his team's next fixture, against the touring British and Irish Lions at Sydney Football Stadium on July 5. "That's obviously a massive game and something for us to look forward to and get excited about, the boys will be dead keen for that," he said. "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity as a rugby player and as a coach. We're really grateful to be involved in such an event and we'll get up for that."
The Guardian
3 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
Waratahs' Super Rugby finals hopes crushed in ugly thrashing by Blues
The NSW Waratahs' season of promise has ended in despair with an ugly, record-breaking 46-6 Super Rugby Pacific loss to the Blues in Auckland. The Waratahs needed to defeat the defending champions for the first time at Eden Park in 16 years to keep their finals hopes alive. Instead, Dan McKellar's depleted side copped a seven-tries-to-nil drubbing at New Zealand rugby's burial ground on Saturday. For the opening half an hour, a famous victory looked possible - until the wheels fell off in a sorry, anticlimactic conclusion to what had been the Waratahs' best start to a Super campaign since 2009. But a disastrous, coach-killing four-minute lapse before the interval ultimately cruelled the dreamy visitors before the Blues ran amok with four tries in a second-half clinic. Despite being without injured stars Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Max Jorgensen, skipper Jake Gordon and flankers Rob Leota and Charlie Gamble, the Waratahs were right in the must-win game for both sides after rookie flyhalf Jack Bowen slotted a 34th-minute penalty goal to reduce the deficit to four points. Playing with spirit, as they should with their season on the line, the Tahs had winger Andrew Kellaway and rookie scrumhalf Teddy Wilson to thank for desperate try-saving tackles to stay in the contest. But a Bowen blunder, when he slipped and failed to find touch for a clearing kick, and a touch of magic from two-time world player of the player Beauden Barrett blew the game wide open for the Blues in a twinkling. Two tries in three minutes to brilliant centre Rieko Ioane, the second after the halftime siren when Waratahs opposite Henry O'Donnell couldn't handle a probing kick from Barrett near halfway, suddenly extended the Blues' tenuous lead from 10-6 to 24-6. There was no coming back for the Waratahs when fullback Corey Evans strolled over untouched shortly after the break to extend the Blues' lead to 31-6. Sign up to The Breakdown The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week's action reviewed after newsletter promotion The Blues' sixth try, to hooker Ricky Riccitelli, was more than academic. It virtually secured a precious bonus point to pile the pressure on Moana Pasifika to produce a similar victory later on Saturday against the Hurricanes in Wellington to deny Vern Cotter's side a place in the finals. The hosts' seventh five-pointer was more significant to Ioane, who equalled All Blacks great Doug Howlett's Blues try-scoring record with 55 after beating three Waratahs defenders to another menacing Barrett kick. The Blues' biggest-ever victory margin over the Waratahs did not look likely when Bowen's two first-half penalties almost wiped out Mark Tele'a's 11th-minute try and then Ioane's first strike off a deft AJ Lam grubber. But an hour later and the Blues were anxiously awaiting their finals fate, needing the fourth-placed Hurricanes to deny Moana an unlikely bonus-point triumph away in the NZ capital to push the title-holders through to the play-offs.
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Eden Park hosts the first-ever Waiata Singalong
music te ao Maori about 1 hour ago Tutira Mai Nga Iwi will be sung by thousands at Auckland's Eden Park this weekend. Rugby fans and whanau heading to Saturday's Blues-Waratahs match will be able to take part in the first-ever Waiata Singalong Series. The person behind it is the legendary Dame Hinewehi Mohi who told Perlina all about it.
Scoop
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
More Than 60 Landmarks In 22 Locations Across Aotearoa To Light Up Orange For World Vision 40 Hour Challenge
An orange glow will light up across Aotearoa on the evening of 13 June, as 63 iconic Kiwi landmarks show their support for the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge, the nation's largest youth fundraising event. This is the fifth year that a multitude of New Zealand's most recognisable monuments will shine orange to raise awareness for the fundraising campaign, which helps to make a life-changing difference to children around the world. This year's World Vision 40 Hour Challenge is encouraging rangatahi to give up technology and go 'offline for 40 Hours' to unplug, disconnect, and get together with their friends and whānau while completing a challenge to raise funds for children who struggle to get enough to eat each day due to climate change in Solomon Islands. World Vision Associate National Director, TJ Grant, says young people today live very 'online' lives and that means going offline for 40 hours is the ultimate challenge. He says World Vision New Zealand surveyed participants who did the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge last year and half of the survey participants said a 'no tech' challenge would be the most difficult challenge for them. Some of the key monuments lighting up in Auckland during the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge Weekend (13-15 June) include Eden Park, Spark Arena, Vero Centre, Sylvia Park, and Mānawa Bay Premium Outlet Centre. Other key monuments lighting up across Aotearoa, include Christchurch Airport, Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, The Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington, The Botanical Gardens in Christchurch, the Saxton Oval Pavilion in Nelson, and Queens Park in Invercargill. Unique and iconic landmarks lighting up orange this year include the tunnel at Wellington Cable Cars, the Big Carrot in Ohakune, the Big Fruit in Cromwell, the KZ1 boat at Auckland's Maritime Museum, and the corrugated iron Sheepdog in Tirau. Grant says he's overwhelmed at the number of landmarks supporting this year's World Vision 40 Hour Challenge. 'The challenge young Kiwis are taking on during the campaign weekend will help to raise funds that will feed families in Solomon Islands who are on the frontlines of climate change. Funds will give families tools and seeds to farm climate-smart crops, plant mangroves to protect their land from rising sea levels and restore fish populations and provide sustainable food sources for future generations to ensure children can grow up healthy and strong in a changing climate.' Owner of Vero Centre, Kiwi Property, says, 'We are proud to support World Vision's 40 Hour Challenge by illuminating the iconic Vero Centre halo in orange this June, helping to raise awareness for this important cause.' The World Vision 40 Hour Challenge takes place from June 13 – June 15. Sign up to take part in this year's World Vision 40 Hour Challenge, or donate, at: The full list of landmarks lighting up orange on 13-15 June includes: Arrowtown: Lakes District Museum & Gallery Ashburton: Clocktower Auckland: Eden Park, Spark Arena, Maritime Museum KZ1 boat, PWC Tower, Vero Centre, The Aotea Centre, Sylvia Park, Dominion Road, St. Peters Church (Onehunga), and Mānawa Bay Premium Outlet Centre Christchurch: Christchurch Airport, The Botanical Gardens, The Bridge of Remembrance, New Brighton Pier, Captain Scott Plaza, The Bowker Fountain (Victoria Square), Vaka a Hina, Memorial Gateway Bridge, Christchurch Town Hall Ferrier Fountain, Fanfare Sculpture, Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū Cromwell: Big Fruit Dunedin: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin Airport, Golden Centre Mall (digital screens), Tuhura Otago Museum, Wall Street Mall, Otago Boys High School Gisborne: Gisborne Clock Tower Invercargill: Queens Park (Feldwich Gates, Band Rotunda, and Gala Street Fountain) Napier: The Gold of the Kowhai Sculpture and Tom Parker Fountain Nelson: Saxton Oval Pavilion New Plymouth: New Plymouth Clock Tower Oamaru: Oamaru Opera House Ohakune: Big Carrot Palmerston North: Hopwood Clock Tower Tauranga: Wharf Street Lights, Beacon Wharf, Masonic Park, Waterfront- North and playground, Tunks Reserve Te Aroha: Clock Tower Tirau: The Big Sheep Dog Waitaki: Craig Fountain Waitoma: Tree of Light Wellington: Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington Cable Car tunnel, Wellington Airport, Kelburn Park Fountain, Hikitia, Nga Kina sculpture and Promenades, Queens Wharf sails shades
NZ Herald
26-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Summer concerts fuel economic growth in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch
'Accommodation occupancy peaked at 95.1% on Friday, November 15 – the night of the second Music of the Spheres Coldplay concert." The economic and cultural agency also says the events heavily impacted the vibrancy of the city, as well as supporting small businesses, hotels and restaurants. 'Major events also make Auckland a great place to work, live and play – providing vibrancy to our streets and venues and an uplift in social health and wellbeing," Hill adds. 'Over the summer period, we saw an influx of visitors booking out hotels and flooding into cafes, bars and restaurants, and this is what ultimately helps many businesses get through the quieter periods.' Hospitality NZ chief executive Steve Armitage told the Herald last year that events such as concerts were 'a real boost' for businesses, including hospitality and accommodation operators. 'The run of Coldplay and Pearl Jam concerts in Auckland brought the city to life, filling our venues and restaurants with visitors keen to experience more than just the music." This sentiment was echoed by Claire Baxter-Cardy of the Kingsland Business Society, who said the hospo community had felt first-hand the positive impacts of the big Eden Park concerts. 'We advocated quite strongly for Eden Park to get the additional concerts, because we know from, say, test matches or any of those large sporting events that there's a 500 to 600% increase in business that night.' She said concerts saw a wider demographic of people come to the Kingsland area, with a similar increase in business for the hospitality sector of 500 to 600%. 'If it's a Saturday event, you're getting these groups and families that will be there quite early, like for three or four hours before the event, really experiencing all the offerings around the Kingsland and Morningside area.' For the P!nk concerts in 2024, Baxter-Cardy said the owner of popular pizza joint Papa's sold out. It was their first time opening again after being closed since the Auckland Anniversary floods. 'It was so cool to see that happen. We are a community that is deeply passionate. It might be a husband or wife team, or it might be someone who owns a very small business that's owner-operator driven. 'Every time there's a special event, we're getting more and more involved in the activation side of things to make sure when people come into Kingsland or come into Morningside, that there are things for them to see, things for them to do, and things for them to be involved in, as well as the great hospitality that we have.' Wellington The capital received a $15.9m economic boost between December and March, according to tourism body WellingtonNZ. Between December 2024 and March 2025, the city hosted 72 events. WellingtonNZ reported 211,686 people attending events over that period. This included Jim Beam Homegrown's final outing in the region, as well as sold-out comedy shows at the Michael Fowler Centre from the likes of Sarah Millican, Paul Smith, Jack Whitehall, and three Graham Norton shows. Nineties rave legends Groove Armada also performed to large crowds at the TSB Arena on the waterfront. 'Events bring vibrancy, liveliness and atmosphere to Wellington for both locals and visitors – and this summer was no exception," WellingtonNZ events and experiences general manager Heidi Morton says. Locals are seemingly on board as well, with recent research figures from WellingtonNZ revealing that 90% of Wellingtonians agreed that hosting events made Wellington a great place to live. Guests to the region were also 88% satisfied during their stay in the capital, according to the research. Advertisement Advertise with NZME. 'Events don't just fill calendars – they ignite civic pride and bring communities together. Wellingtonians are strong supporters of our events schedule and it's important that continues,' Morton says. 'The accommodation, hospitality and retail sectors have all seen a benefit from the breadth of events that have taken place over the last few months.' Wellington Chocolate Factory general manager Matt Williams agrees, saying major events and a stacked calendar are great not only for the business, but also for the city. 'It's really important that businesses make the most of the opportunities on offer too, think outside the square about how they can leverage what's happening to drive foot traffic and build up some buzz.' Lydia Suggate, co-owner of hospitality venues Nolita, LBQ, The Botanist, Bebemos and Otto, says events are crucial for business owners during a tough economic climate. 'Events in Wellington make a huge impact for our businesses, especially when people are watching their spending a bit more these days, as they like to plan where they're going to spend their money.' Karaka cafe owner Paul Retimanu adds that events like Matariki and Mana Moana help bridge the gap during the quieter winter months but also give locals a reason to come out and enjoy the experiences. Christchurch For Ōtautahi Christchurch, it was Electric Avenue Festival's two-day expansion in February that saw the biggest economic return over the summer, resulting in a visitor spend of $10.5m in the city. Featuring major headline acts like Empire Of The Sun, The Prodigy, and Chase and Status, the festival was the biggest event for local tourism body ChristchurchNZ and is believed to have produced the largest visitor spend of any Christchurch event since the 1974 Commonwealth Games. This summer, from December to February, there was a $12.4m visitor spend, which was just shy of the $12.8m spend of the 2023-24 December to February period. While the 2024-25 results are still in progress, ChristchurchNZ says the figures should come close to, but may not top, the $35.7m from the full year 2022-23. The FY22-23 period featured events such as an Elton John concert and a one-day Electric Avenue Festival. There were also strong survey figures from FreshInfo on behalf of ChristchurchNZ that supported the city's efforts when it came to hosting large-scale events. The research found that 93% of resident attendees agreed that hosting events like Electric Ave increased their pride in Christchurch, and 96% agreed that hosting events like Electric Ave made Christchurch a more enjoyable place to live. 'Ōtautahi Christchurch has proven the city has the infrastructure, experience, and capability to host major events,' Karena Finnie, ChristchurchNZ head of major events, tells the Herald. 'With new venues coming on stream and the momentum we can can indeed go bigger, although these opportunities require investment.' Various businesses also supplied feedback to ChristchurchNZ about the positive impact of Electric Avenue, including Chiwahwah and Zodiac restaurants' general manager, Amanda Keenan. 'We certainly saw an increase in sales, not just for Friday and Saturday [of the festival] but for the entire week,' Keenan says. 'Overall, [there was] a 5% increase in sales for the week compared to the same week the previous month.' Keenan also says visitors are well-behaved during their visits, adding to the positive community experience. 'Both Chiwahwah and Zodiac saw an increase in numbers through the door both nights, and our security team reported a significant decrease in denials due to intoxication compared to previous weeks, even considering the increase in headcount.' And with the opening of the new One New Zealand Stadium set to draw thousands to the region, there will continue to be more opportunities to draw punters to the region. Elsewhere across the country, events like the upcoming Metallica concert in Auckland and WoW and Peppa Pig's Fun Day Out in Wellington are also set to give these regions an economic boost in 2025.
