Latest news with #AucklandArena
RNZ News
08-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Ponsonby Rugby Club chair unsurprised Auckland Arena deal falls through
Western Springs. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi The chair of Auckland's Ponsonby Rugby Club is not surprised the Mowbray-backed proposal for Western Springs Stadium fell through. Rich-listers - including entrepreneur Anna Mowbray, her husband, former All Black Ali Williams, American businessman Bill Foley, and New Zealander and NBA player Steven Adams - withdrew their proposal for an Auckland Arena, a privately-funded venue focused on football, on Tuesday. It was one of three options for the future of the stadium that went out for public consultation in May. A statement from Auckland Arena now said delivering the privately funded project on public land posed unique challenges. Ponsonby Rugby Club chair Greg Edmonds, who is backing a competing proposal to develop a Western Springs Bowl , said he saw it coming. "It wasn't really a surprise to us," he said. "Getting their proposal up on a piece of land that was publicly owned was always going to be a challenge. A hundred-year lease is a long time to have to look after an asset so we always thought there was some risk that it might not actually get through to a conclusion." He said using public land for a private asset was always going to be an uphill battle. "You've got a private professional sports club that wants to use a public asset for a private-use club. It's the challenge of convincing the governing body that would be the best use of an asset," Edmonds said. Despite the shake-up, Edmonds said there was no need to restart the process. "I don't think they need to restart the process because it was a public, open process for expressions of interest. All of those that had an option for Western Springs Stadium have had that opportunity," he said. "No need to restart the process and spend more public money on a debate that's pretty crystal clear now. "Our proposal is about keeping that stadium in public hands and public use. It's in the best interest of the whole of Auckland, not just for rugby but for all rectangular sports." The Western Springs Bowl proposal was now largely unopposed, however a slim majority indicated a preference to "explore other ideas" during the public consultation period. Tātaki Auckland Unlimited chief executive Nick Hill said the agency, which had previously held Auckland Arena as its preferred option, would no longer provide a recommendation to the governing body meeting on 31 July. Instead he said the recommendation would be delayed until after this year's local government elections. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
1News
08-07-2025
- Business
- 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
RNZ News
07-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Rich-listers pull out of Western Springs Stadium project
Western Springs. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi 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. 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 31 July. 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." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
01-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Aucklanders to weigh in on Western Springs stadium proposals
The decision to go to public consultation lasted four hours, turning ugly at times over the role of speedway in the mix, and leading to Mayor Wayne Brown adjourning the meeting at one stage for councillors to cool down. At one point, Brown joked: 'We have heard from you guys for seven hours, I just want to hear from the public.' Billionaire Anna Mowbray and husband Ali Williams are part of a consortium with Texan billionaire and Auckland FC backer Bill Foley that is behind the 'Auckland Arena' – incorporating a new 12,500-seat stadium, community sports facilities, a high-performance centre, and hospitality. The Auckland Arena team has released a video of its proposal, featuring a campaign to generate public support. Ali Williams said: 'Western Springs is just crying out for it to happen.' Sir Bryan Williams has spent much of his life at Ponsonby Rugby Club, which has teamed up with two music promoters to build a Hollywood Bowl-style live concert and festival venue, a 5000-seat boutique stadium, and a multi-sport community hub. The backers of the 'Western Springs Bowl' have said they did not wish to comment beyond what Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU) has released until the process is concluded, but Bryan Williams told the Herald last year: 'There is no alternative to fit our needs like Western Springs.' There are no firm plans to relocate Ponsonby Rugby Club when its lease expires in 2027 but the council body that oversees stadiums, TAU, is looking at Coxs Bay and Victoria Park. The mayor and councillors are keeping an open mind until public consultation closes next month and the feedback is assessed, but the TAU board has already evaluated the two options and backs the Auckland Arena with a new 12,500-seat sports stadium as its preferred option. TAU chief executive Nick Hill today said the Auckland Arena is the best option, saying it is the best proposal for ratepayers financially and includes investment into football and basketball, which are Auckland's fastest-growing sports and are struggling for infrastructure. For the second time, Brown today declined a request from representatives of the speedway community to address the governing body. He refused a similar request last October when councillors voted to move speedway from Western Springs to Waikaraka Park in Onehunga. Said councillor John Watson: 'These people were cut out in their entirety and denied speaking rights twice.' Brown also declined a request today for Ali Williams to address the meeting. Public consultation is due to run from May 19 to June 15.
NZ Herald
22-04-2025
- Climate
- NZ Herald
Watch Live: St Johns Homicide update
Premium Minister Shane Jones is encouraging applications to his $1.2 billion Regional Infrastructure Fund to help with the Chatham Islands' many challenges. Video / Cameron Pitney He remembers the first computer at the school, he's older than most of the buildings, and he still gets joy from that moment the 'penny drops' for students. Strong gale-force winds lash Auckland's CBD tonight as a storm moves across the country. Video / NZ Herald Emergency services could be seen attending after a truck fell on its side near Kaiwaka. Video / Supplied New footage shows an in-depth look at the proposed Auckland Arena. The Kiwi radio broadcaster, who is currently on maternity leave, said she gave birth within minutes of arriving to hospital. Video / The Hits One hundred people aged 8-80 brainstormed environmental solutions. Video / Isaac Te Reina Helena Bay, northeast of central Whangārei, is battered by large swells, winds and high tides on Thursday. Video / Denise Piper Fire and Emergency is responding to concerns about a roof lifting off a home on Beach Road in Campbells Bay as Cyclone Tam hits the North Island. Worst weather yet to come, Mark Lundy has another chance at freedom and most state schools running at capacity or above. Reporter Filoialii hops back in time, to discover the secret history of the Easter Bunny, and how other favourite Easter traditions evolved through the years and across the world. Stephen Hoyle opens up on the pride of now calling himself a Kiwi and the strong bonds that bought him back to Napier. Video / Neil Reid Auckland's Easter Show organisers are pushing on with this year's event, despite wet and windy conditions being forecast. Video / Corey Fleming Strong winds hit Ōrewa and Ōnetangi beaches as Cyclone Tam intensifies. Video/ Sylvie Whinray, Sarah de Croy Former Labour Party leader Andrew Little has announced his candidacy for Wellington's Mayor. He joins Newstalk ZB's Nick Mills to discuss his plans in the job. Video / NewstalkZB
