The government aims to enhance Eden Park’s standing as a major events venue and is launching a review of local regulations that may be restricting its potential, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Tourism Minister Louise Upston said.
“Eden Park, with a seating capacity of about 50,000 seats, is New Zealand’s largest major events stadium. Concerts and major sporting events held at Eden Park inject millions of dollars into Auckland’s economy from locals and visitors alike – but current planning rules could be holding Eden Park back from doing more,” Upston said.
“Last summer Auckland’s economy received a boost of nearly $32 million from several big concerts. These events created jobs and had local hospitality businesses humming.”
“We want to see more events like these.”
“The government’s $70 million events and tourism investment package announced yesterday will allow New Zealand to compete with Australia to host big events and will give international visitors even more reasons to come and explore New Zealand, while also encouraging Kiwis to get out and about.”
Meanwhile, Bishop said it is important to ensure that the planning rules are appropriate and effective.
“We’ve heard that there are local rules and constraints around Eden Park that could be restricting its ability to host events.”
“For example, Eden Park is only allowed to host six artists playing a total of 12 shows per year. These shows can only take place on certain days of the week, can only have a maximum duration of five hours, have to be finished by 11pm on weekdays, and can host no more than four concerts in a four-week period.
“Sporting events face many barriers too. The stadium is currently not allowed to host more than 25 night-time sporting events per year, and they can only be between 7.30pm and 9.30 pm on weekdays (except for cricket, which can go until 10pm). Sporting events can’t take place on Sunday evenings.
“And despite the stadium’s huge capacity, conferences can’t have more than 2000 people.”
Bishop said he will conduct an investigation to determine if the rules governing events at Eden Park are hindering economic growth and may implement direct changes to those rules if that is confirmed.
“This investigation will be conducted under the new regulation-making power in the Resource Management Act, recently passed into law through the Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Bill.
“The regulation-making power enables the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform to remove or modify provisions in RMA plans where they negatively impact economic growth, development capacity or employment,” Bishop said.