Eden Park 2.1 staged redevelopment endorsement

Image: Eden Park

The Auckland (New Zealand) Councilors have thrown Eden Park a lifeline to become the City’s “main stadium” but the private owners will have to magic up hundreds of millions of dollars to earn the title.

‘The New Zealand Herald’ stated that following a three-hour debate on March 27^th the Councilors voted 17-2 with one abstention to endorse in principle a staged redevelopment of the Eden Park as the best and most feasible option for a fit-for-purpose main stadium.

The Eden Park is a sports venue in Auckland, New Zealand. It is located three kilometers Southwest of the Auckland Central Business District (CBD) on the boundary between the suburbs of Mount Eden and Kingsland. The main stadium has a nominal capacity of 50,000 and is sometimes referred to as New Zealand’s national stadium.

‘The New Zealand Herald’ further stated that in the words of the Mayor of Auckland Wayne Brown the Council is “injecting a bit of oxygen” into Eden Park.

That plan, Te Tōangaroa (vibrant urban neighborhood), includes a 50,000-seat stadium that can be scaled down to 20,000 capacity for smaller events, up to four hotels, hospitality, scope for 2,000 apartments, plus commercial offices.

Analysis by the Council officers found both plans are not feasible without significant public funding.

The decision leaves the privately-owned Eden Park Trust with little prospect of funding its 2.1 vision for a retractable roof, three new grandstands and a pedestrian promenade costing hundreds of millions of dollars.

The Council, which has an outstanding loan of $48.8 million from the Eden Park, has no plans for funding and the Associate Sports Minister Chris Bishop holds out little hope for Government funding.

He said the Government has not been approached by Eden Park seeking $110m for the first stage of its 2.1 plan, development of the Lower North Stand, as suggested in a Council report.

This would be followed by redeveloping the Upper North Stand with potential additions such as hotel and student accommodation. Stage 3 would see the installation of a retractable roof.

Observed Bishop, “Given the constrained fiscal environment New Zealand is facing and large demands for capital expenditure in health, education and transport there would be a high bar for Government funding.”

The Council report said Te Tōangaroa is possibly commercially feasible but had little confidence it could be delivered because it depends on “optimistic assumptions” regarding infrastructure, construction costs and financing.

It would also require the closure of Mt Eden and the 25,000-capacity Go Media (Mount Smart) Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand, and all content going to Te Tōangaroa leading to scheduling conflicts.

The Te Tōangaroa consortium has indicated it needs another 12 months to provide greater certainty about their proposal which would be privately funded through revenue from developing the 15ha precinct.

Councilor Shane Henderson, who spent two years Chairing the Stadiums Working Group for the “main stadium” project said today’s (March 27^th) decision ticked off something on the civic to-do list for generations – “Both options are visionary in their own ways. What is most important is we will be a major player as a City in the Asia-Pacific Region bringing cultural events, sporting events, you name it.”

The Eden Park Trust Board Chair Kereyn Smith said the staged approach gives the Eden Park the certainty to plan, the flexibility to deliver and the ability to respond to the needs of the Aucklanders and the New Zealanders alike – “We look forward to working with both the Auckland Council and the Central Government to make this opportunity a reality.”

Councilor Mike Lee, who abstained on the vote to back the Eden Park, said the three-hour debate had come up with a big fat zero, saying the Council loves it but won’t pay a cent.

Speaking as a “decorated veteran of stadium debates”, Lee said, “It’s almost a batty aspect of public life in Auckland and a debate that doesn’t go away and probably never will.”

The Council has been trying to put the City’s stadiums on “a more sustainable financial footing” since June 2012.
 

‘Staged Approach’

Duncan Blomfield, General Manager Commercial, Eden Park, stated in a LinkedIn Post, “Today’s (March 27^th) decision by the Auckland Council’s Governing Body to support a staged approach to delivering Eden Park 2.1 as part of the Main Stadium Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) process is an important milestone not only for Eden Park, New Zealand, but Auckland and New Zealand. The Council’s decision is an endorsement of an approach that is not just aspirational – it’s a practical, buildable and deliverable approach to delivering Auckland’s main stadium. This allows us to now plan with certainty, deliver with flexibility and respond to the evolving needs of our City and our country. Eden Park 2.1 is a high-value, high-benefit opportunity for Auckland and New Zealand.”
 

‘Strategic Asset’

Nick Sautner, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Eden Park, noted in a LinkedIn Post, “Today’s (March 27^th) decision by the Auckland Council’s Governing Body to support a staged approach to delivering Eden Park 2.1 as part of the Main Stadium REOI process is an important milestone not only for Eden Park, New Zealand, but Auckland and New Zealand.”

“Since 2011, Eden Park, New Zealand, has contributed more than $1 billion in GDP to the regional economy. Named International Venue of the Year in 2024, the Eden Park, New Zealand, is a hybrid, multipurpose stadium that continues to be both a strategic asset for the nation and a community cornerstone for Auckland. We know the global event environment is evolving. The audiences, the sports bodies and the promoters now demand larger, more flexible and digitally enabled venues that deliver a premium experience on and off the field. New Zealand is not alone in facing these challenges – but it is at risk of falling behind especially with Cities across Australia investing heavily in the modern stadium infrastructure to attract the same events Eden Park competes for. The Eden Park, New Zealand, is already a strategic national asset for our country and a community asset for our city – and with the staged upgrade we will ensure it remains a highly utilized venue that delivers world-class experiences and continues to create unforgettable moments for the future generations. We are excited about the future.”

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