Kiwi Tom Francis skippers NZ boat Ultimate Lady to Blue Marlin World Cup victory
Tom Francis and his team, comprising New Zealanders and Tahitian locals, caught a 312.6kg blue marlin, enough to secure victory over 160
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1News
3 hours ago
- 1News
Rich-listers pull out of Western Springs Stadium project
Auckland Football Club's rich-lister owners have pulled their proposal to take over Western Springs Stadium. The privately funded venue focused on football, Auckland Arena, was backed by entrepreneur Anna Mowbray, her husband, former All Black Ali Williams, American businessman Bill Foley, and New Zealander and NBA player Steven Adams. It was one of three options for the future of the stadium that went out for public consultation in May. Auckland Council's economic and cultural agency, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU), earlier told councillors they favoured the Auckland Arena proposal. The decision comes just weeks after Mowbray and Williams' controversial resource consent application to build a helipad at their multi-million dollar Westmere property was approved. ADVERTISEMENT TAU chief executive Nick Hill told RNZ on Tuesday they were informed by the backers of the Auckland Arena concept for the stadium that they had withdrawn their submission to the expression of interest (EOI) process relating to the future use of the stadium. "We were disappointed to hear of the withdrawal of the Auckland Arena proposal. The EOI evaluation panel and our board had deemed it to be the most positive solution for Auckland. TAU was set to provide a recommendation to the council on which proposal to go ahead with at an upcoming meeting on July 31. Hill said the TAU Board would put off advising councillors on the issue until after the city's local government elections in October. "Western Springs Stadium is a historic and valued asset with huge potential. We need to consider the public consultation feedback before deciding next steps. We are committed to making a recommendation that will deliver positive outcomes and provide certainty for Aucklanders." Auckland Councillor Shane Henderson said the outcome was frustrating after significant time and resources were spent hearing from the public. "We've had a really difficult conversation with the public with some high emotion, and to find out on the morning of the release of feedback to councillors that one of the options we asked the public about has pulled out is a disappointing outcome. ADVERTISEMENT "It [the withdrawal] affects the rest of the consultation." He said councillors were set to select an option for the stadium this month, but a conclusion to the months-long debate was now looking much further away. He said it was too early to know if the council would need to consult the public again. "There's every chance that might be an outcome because this consultation appears to have had the well poisoned." The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including deadly Texas floods, Australian woman attacked by a lion, and Elon Musk's new political party. (Source: 1News) No clear favourite in feedback to council The council revealed on Tuesday it received 14,894 submissions on how the stadium should be used during the consultation period, which went from 19 May to 15 June. ADVERTISEMENT Feedback showed a wide range of views and there was no clear preferred option, the council said. Of the individual submissions, 33% supported the option to explore other ideas, which included returning speedway to the stadium where it had been for the past 100 years. Another 30% of individual submitters favoured the CRS records proposal, Western Springs Bowl, which would offer a live music and festival venue and 5000 to 8000-seat boutique stadium for community and semi-professional sport, including Ponsonby Rugby Club, whose lease of the stadium expires in 2027. The now ditched Auckland Arena idea was backed by 21% of individual submitters, while 16% preferred to keep things as they are. Feedback from organisations showed 35% wanted other options explored, 33% preferred Western Springs Bowl, 29% preferred Auckland Arena, and 3% wanted things to stay as they were. The council said TAU had advised that they needed more time to assess the remaining options before recommending an appropriate path forward. It said they expected to provide newly elected councillors with advice on the matter early in the next council term. ADVERTISEMENT
Scoop
20 hours ago
- Scoop
Got A Dream? Air New Zealand Launches National Search For New Zealand's Big Dreamers
Press Release – Air New Zealand Launching today, Dream Seats will kick off with an initial commitment of giving over 100 New Zealanders the opportunity to move closer to achieving their dreams, by giving them flights to support their journey. Air New Zealand is backing the passion, drive, and ambition of New Zealanders with the launch of Dream Seats, a nationwide search designed to help Kiwi take the next step toward their dream. Launching today, Dream Seats will kick off with an initial commitment of giving over 100 New Zealanders the opportunity to move closer to achieving their dreams, by giving them flights to support their journey. Within Aotearoa or around the world, Air New Zealand aims to bring big ambitions closer to reality. Air New Zealand Chief Executive Greg Foran says dreaming big is part of Kiwi DNA and the airline wants to help some of these dreams take off. 'At Air New Zealand, we've always believed in the potential of New Zealanders to make a positive impact both at home in Aotearoa and globally. Dream Seats is an extension of that belief, a way for us to support those who are already striving and just need that extra lift to take their dream further. 'Whether it's sport, business, science or the arts, Aotearoa is full of remarkable people doing incredible things. We're proud to play a small part in helping more of them go further. This is not a one-off campaign, it's part of our enduring commitment to champion Kiwi success, here at home and on the global stage.' To help bring those dreams to life, high-profile Kiwi have joined the search including: · Ryan Fox, NZ golfing legend and two-time PGA Tour winner · Dame Valerie Adams, two-time Olympic gold medallist · Shaun Johnson, professional rugby league player and podcast host · Josh Emett, chef, and entrepreneur · Simran Kaur, financial educator, and podcast host · Tom Sainsbury, comedian, writer, and performer Each ambassador will personally award two Dream Seats to standout applicants and provide mentoring to support their journey forward. 'I left New Zealand with a one-way ticket to London and a dream of making it in the food world,' says Josh Emett. 'I worked in some of the toughest kitchens and eventually earned a place in Gordon Ramsay's team. I know how powerful it is when someone backs your potential and now, I want to do the same for another Kiwi. I'll be looking for someone who's already put in the work and just needs that extra push to go further.' Air New Zealand is also proud to have the support of NBA star Steven Adams, whose impact on and off the court continues to inspire New Zealanders to dream big. Applications are now open at where New Zealanders can share their story and explain how a Dream Seat could help them build momentum toward something bigger. 'This isn't about granting wishes,' adds Foran. 'It's about backing New Zealanders who are already doing the hard work and helping them take the next step, not just in their journey, but in their lives.' Air New Zealand is encouraging Kiwi from Cape Rēinga to Bluff to put themselves forward. Because every great journey starts with a single step, and this could be yours. Ambassador Quotes: 'Representing New Zealand on the world stage has been one of the great honours of my life, whether it's at the Olympics, on the PGA Tour, or walking up the first fairway at Augusta. It took years of hard work, a lot of travel, and time away from my family to get there. I had an incredible support system, and I still do, and that makes all the difference. That's why Dream Seats means a lot to me.' Ryan Fox 'Some of the biggest moments in my career have come overseas, representing the Kiwis and testing myself against the best. But it all started here at home, playing for the Warriors, grinding through the early days, and having people who believed in me before the spotlight found me. Travel has opened doors for me, but it was the support behind the scenes that got me on the plane. That's what Dream Seats is all about. I want to help someone who's already doing the work and just needs that boost to get where they're meant to be.' Shaun Johnson 'Sports has brought me to countless places around the globe, from grand Olympic stadiums to local tracks, and everything in between. Travel was an integral part of my journey. It involved early morning flights, long layovers, missed celebrations, and time spent away from home. Yet, it also opened doors to new opportunities. Sometimes, a single flight has the power to transform everything.'
Scoop
21 hours ago
- Scoop
Got A Dream? Air New Zealand Launches National Search For New Zealand's Big Dreamers
Air New Zealand is backing the passion, drive, and ambition of New Zealanders with the launch of Dream Seats, a nationwide search designed to help Kiwi take the next step toward their dream. Launching today, Dream Seats will kick off with an initial commitment of giving over 100 New Zealanders the opportunity to move closer to achieving their dreams, by giving them flights to support their journey. Within Aotearoa or around the world, Air New Zealand aims to bring big ambitions closer to reality. Air New Zealand Chief Executive Greg Foran says dreaming big is part of Kiwi DNA and the airline wants to help some of these dreams take off. "At Air New Zealand, we've always believed in the potential of New Zealanders to make a positive impact both at home in Aotearoa and globally. Dream Seats is an extension of that belief, a way for us to support those who are already striving and just need that extra lift to take their dream further. 'Whether it's sport, business, science or the arts, Aotearoa is full of remarkable people doing incredible things. We're proud to play a small part in helping more of them go further. This is not a one-off campaign, it's part of our enduring commitment to champion Kiwi success, here at home and on the global stage.' To help bring those dreams to life, high-profile Kiwi have joined the search including: · Ryan Fox, NZ golfing legend and two-time PGA Tour winner · Shaun Johnson, professional rugby league player and podcast host · Josh Emett, chef, and entrepreneur · Simran Kaur, financial educator, and podcast host · Tom Sainsbury, comedian, writer, and performer Each ambassador will personally award two Dream Seats to standout applicants and provide mentoring to support their journey forward. 'I left New Zealand with a one-way ticket to London and a dream of making it in the food world,' says Josh Emett. 'I worked in some of the toughest kitchens and eventually earned a place in Gordon Ramsay's team. I know how powerful it is when someone backs your potential and now, I want to do the same for another Kiwi. I'll be looking for someone who's already put in the work and just needs that extra push to go further.' Air New Zealand is also proud to have the support of NBA star Steven Adams, whose impact on and off the court continues to inspire New Zealanders to dream big. Applications are now open at where New Zealanders can share their story and explain how a Dream Seat could help them build momentum toward something bigger. 'This isn't about granting wishes,' adds Foran. 'It's about backing New Zealanders who are already doing the hard work and helping them take the next step, not just in their journey, but in their lives.' Air New Zealand is encouraging Kiwi from Cape Rēinga to Bluff to put themselves forward. Because every great journey starts with a single step, and this could be yours. Ambassador Quotes: 'Representing New Zealand on the world stage has been one of the great honours of my life, whether it's at the Olympics, on the PGA Tour, or walking up the first fairway at Augusta. It took years of hard work, a lot of travel, and time away from my family to get there. I had an incredible support system, and I still do, and that makes all the difference. That's why Dream Seats means a lot to me.' Ryan Fox 'Some of the biggest moments in my career have come overseas, representing the Kiwis and testing myself against the best. But it all started here at home, playing for the Warriors, grinding through the early days, and having people who believed in me before the spotlight found me. Travel has opened doors for me, but it was the support behind the scenes that got me on the plane. That's what Dream Seats is all about. I want to help someone who's already doing the work and just needs that boost to get where they're meant to be.' Shaun Johnson 'Sports has brought me to countless places around the globe, from grand Olympic stadiums to local tracks, and everything in between. Travel was an integral part of my journey. It involved early morning flights, long layovers, missed celebrations, and time spent away from home. Yet, it also opened doors to new opportunities. Sometimes, a single flight has the power to transform everything.'
