Viewpoint – Call to keep stadium

Urgent call to action. As this paper goes to digital and print delivery there is still time to put in a submission to the Council’s Long-Term Plan 2024-34 (or 10-year budget).

At stake is the loss of the North Harbour Stadium in Albany. With a replacement cost as much as $450 million, the effective loss of the stadium through deconstruction/demolition and land sales would mean no more big sporting games, concerts and stadium entertainment events north of the Harbour Bridge. In past years, the stadium hosted the All Blacks (and South Africa), Kiwi League internationals, All Whites, FIFA matches and concerts like Cher, Pavarotti and Roger Waters. But no more, unless we save it.

The option Save Our Stadium supporters suggest is to keep the stadium, with alternative North Harbour-based management and operation – like the North Shore Stadium Trust that ran the stadium successfully in the past, financially and operationally (www.saveourstadium.co.nz).

The stadium was paid for by fundraising, donations and ratepayers north of the bridge. Supporters raised millions selling seats. North Harbour Stadium, unlike others, even has zoning protection that restricts neighbours objecting to noise and stadium activities.

As the newest stadium in Auckland (27 years) it could have years more life. Its 25,000 capacity amounts to a boutique stadium for larger events, but equally for smaller crowds. What’s needed, in my view, is management that will run the stadium to attract and support both – with attractive charges and offerings for founding sports like North Harbour Rugby and new teams from the growing women’s sport teams to new sporting franchises like Moana Pasifika Rugby and Football Knights, who train at the stadium now.

Unlike Mount Smart and Western Springs – the two other Auckland Council owned stadiums – North Harbour has complementary surroundings such as large numbers of food and beverage offerings that benefit from stadium events, practice grounds, high performance facilities and pool already present.

Retaining the integrity of this precinct and associated parking is a no-brainer – more so with significant expansion of Westfield Mall starting soon, and ongoing population growth north of the bridge. Albany also benefited hugely from recent motorway improvements between Constellation Drive and Oteha Valley Road, plus the new motorway north. Recently, the Oteha park and ride, Auckland’s largest, was expanded.

Why should the sale of land from North Harbour Stadium be used to prop up other Auckland stadiums over the bridge that do not have the same advantages?

Population growth north of the bridge is fast and large from developments like Milldale and Wainui, then Dairy Flat, on top of infill housing everywhere. 

I believe future proofing by saving North Harbour Stadium makes sense in both the long and short term. LTP Consultation ends March 28.