The Boss is coming back.

Respected American rock veteran Bruce Springsteen will play in New Zealand for only the second time in his near 50-year career this summer with a show at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium.

Local fans might have thought they had missed out earlier this year when he played Australian shows in March but bypassed New Zealand.

But Springsteen and the E Street band have confirmed new 2014 Australasian dates on his mammoth Wrecking Ball tour which will bring him to Auckland on March 1.

The tour began in the US in March 2012 and was originally due to end in South America next month after a northern hemisphere summer spent playing festivals and stadiums across the US and Europe.

The latest issue of Rolling Stone picked the 63 year-old and band as the best live act in the world based on a poll of musicians, writers and music industry figures, describing him as "one of rock's greatest, reliably thrilling live acts".

He has has sold more than 120 million albums since his 1973 debut album, his commercial peak coming with 1984's Born in the USA.

In the past decade Springsteen has released a steady stream of acclaimed albums, many commenting on American life and politics including the post 9/11-themed The Rising and the global financial crisis-inspired Wrecking Ball.

Springsteen and band last played here in 2003 with a show at a rain-lashed Western Springs to a crowd of 25,000.

The shift to Mt Smart Stadium will allow a combination of stadium seating and standing for those attending.

Ticket prices are unconfirmed as yet but will go on sale on August 26.

Support will be Oz rock stalwart Jimmy Barnes.

* See tomorrow's Weekend TimeOut for a Bruce Springsteen exclusive.

Bruce Springsteen
Where: Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
When: Saturday, March 1