A concept image of how Eden Park might if it is redeveloped. Photo: Supplied / Eden Park
Auckland councillors are calling for the government to come to the table as they prepare to vote on an endorsement of a new stadium proposal for the city.
The council votes on Thursday whether to endorse an Eden Park redevelopment, an entirely new stadium at the waterfront - or, to delay the decisions so the proposals can do more work, or decline both options.
One option is a new stadium on Auckland's waterfront. Photo: RNZ / Supplied
Official advice from council staff is far from confident in the proposals - with both not feasible without significant public funding, which the council has said was off the table.
Eden Park's so-called 2.1 upgrade would include a retractable roof and increased seating.
It's "technically feasible, but is not currently financially feasible because it relies on significant public funding", council advisors said.
Backers of Te Tōangaroa, an ambitious $1 billion proposal for a new 55,000 seat stadium in central Auckland, "had not demonstrated that their proposal was technically or commercially feasible at this stage and had suggested it needed more time to do so".
Whau councillor Kerrin Leoni said the government needed to come to the table on the new stadium, as the need for public funding from the proposals was a "huge concern".
"I think central government should be looking at supporting the stadiums in terms of tourism and everything like that. We need to actually have the support of central government."
Leoni said she will be bringing up the issue of financial feasibility.
"I would prefer to endorse something knowing there's going to be some finances backing the decision either way," she said.
"We shouldn't be supporting things if we don't know that it's feasible for them to go ahead."
Leoni said she wasn't sure which way the debate would swing, but predicted the debate would be "fiery".
John Watson Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
Councillor for Albany John Watson said the council's decision might not seal the deal for a future stadium if the proposals did not have financial backing.
"Auckland Council is not putting in any money to any of these potentially new stadiums or upgraded stadiums, they've had no part in the planning, they don't and won't run the stadiums, so as much as it's billed as 'the big decision for the future of our national stadium', Auckland Council is hardly even a bit part player, all it's gonna be doing is a recommendation.
"It's a bit more of a showpiece than anything of much substance as far as I'm concerned.
"It's up to the entities themselves, and I would suggest the government, are the relevant parties here. Auckland Council's rather incidental, given that it's declared it's not bringing any money to the party."
When asked if he would consider central government funding for either of the two options proposed, Minister for Auckland Simeon Brown said the government's focus was freeing up planning and consenting red tape.
"This has held back venues like Eden Park from being able to offer more to Aucklanders due to the significant constraints on the number of events that can be hosted," he said in a statement.
Free tickets not a problem, secret meetings questioned
Councillor Leoni said she had sought legal advice over her part in the Eden Park ticketing saga, and that it wouldn't influence her decision.
Fifteen of Auckland's 20 councillors have been hosted by Eden Park for free at concerts and sporting events since 2024, casting doubt on their decision making.
"I have been advised that no, we can participate, and the hospitality that we have received will not impact on our decisions, and I have never been lobbied by anyone at Eden Park when I have attended events there," Leoni said.
She said she brought her children to events because as an elected member and as a mother, it was expected for her to attend.
Watson said it was "a bit of a beat up".
"Councillors have been going to Eden Park since the start of the supercity, they're all invited. If they're interested in sport or how the stadium functions they will have been along at some stage."
He criticised "secret meetings" having taken place between the players vying for a stadium option and those around the council table.
"This so-called decision has only emerged late in the piece. But up until that point I'd be absolutely certain that a number of these parties have been engaged in consultations with entities, such as the mayoral department, and I think they should be declared and put on the record," he said.
"What meetings have taken place, who was there and what was said?"
The office of Auckland mayor Wayne Brown said in a statement the mayor has met "many times" with Nick Sautner, the chief executive of Eden Park, and will have met with all the relevant parties as a member of the stadium working group.
"Mayoral office staff support the mayor across a range of meetings and stakeholder engagements, including discussions that relate to our stadia network, community sport provision, long-term investment needs, cultural and entertainment partnerships, and general policy development."
