Ask Phoebe: Restricted access from temporary stands

Eden Park in Sandringham. Photo / Bradley Ambrose

After paying $800 for my partner and I to go to the Rugby World Cup, we recently found out that we will be in the top of the temporary stand at the western end of Eden Park. What areas are we allowed to walk around within the stadium and how many flights of stairs do we have to go up to get to our seats? Also, where are the facilities (toilets, food, bar) in relation to these stands? Is the only way up to our seating via the stairs inside the scaffolding? I have never liked even walking under scaffolding and would have liked prior notice of this before buying our tickets. I am, however, going to suck it up as it is an opportunity of a lifetime to attend such an amazing sporting event. Tarrah Salt, Auckland.

These seats are reached via dedicated new entrances and are supported by their own facilities areas with food and beverage outlets, toilets, cash machines, police, and so on.

There is a restriction on access to the rest of the grounds for efficiency reasons - the logistics of moving 10,000 or so people into and out of the temporary stands are mind-boggling.

All the access stairwells go up through the temporary stand structures. There are 10 flights of stairs to get to the top, compared with eight flights to get to the permanent seats in level six of the South Stand.

We live in the Waitoki area (near Dairy Flat) and have visitors staying for the cup. Most of the information about getting to Eden Park is city and south of the bridge-"centric". Are you able to give any advice for them to get to and from the games? Bob McMurray, Waitoki, and Jenny Weaver, Orewa.

By bus would be the best option, in my opinion. Special event buses will leave from Albany every 10 minutes, stopping at all Northern Busway stations and then going directly to Eden Park.

The last bus departs 90 minutes before kick-off at Eden Park. Return buses will be available, until the crowd clears, and travel is free with a match ticket.

My mother and stepdad are taking my 6-year-old son to the Australia-Italy game at North Harbour Stadium. My stepdad has a disabled parking permit and can't walk long distances. They are travelling from Papakura. Would the stadium have any special parking arrangements for those with disability permits? What would you
suggest they do for travel/parking? Kate Winn, Auckland.

There will be a limited number of disabled parking spaces close to the venue at Massey University, off the Albany Expressway. A shuttle service will operate between there and the stadium. As always, it would pay for your family to give themselves plenty of time and to arrive early enough to secure a park.