The Government will investigate whether rules at Auckland’s Eden Park – like only allowing 12 concerts per year - are negatively impacting economic growth and could consider changes if they are found to be.
Tourism Minister Louise Upston said on Monday that Eden Park, which has a capacity of around 50,000 people, is New Zealand’s largest events stadium and events held there pump millions into the local economy.
“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,” she said.
However, Upston and RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop said current planning rules are holding Eden Park back and the Government is interested in seeing more events hosted at the stadium.
“For example, Eden Park is only allowed to host six artists playing a total of 12 shows per year,” Bishop said.
“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.”
He said the Government will launch an investigation into whether these rules are negatively impacting economic growth. If they are found to be, direct changes could be made.
“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.
“There are steps and safeguards associated with the use of this power. The minister must investigate the impacts of the provisions and whether specified statutory criteria are met, and produce a report which must be made publicly available.”
He said the minister then needs to report back to the Cabinet with any findings for a final decision to the Auckland Unitary Plan.
Former Prime Minister and long-time Mt Eden resident Helen Clark has opposed the expansion of concerts at Eden Park.
“A key point is that Eden Park is not even close to maximising the use of the park to the level for which it currently has agreement, so it’s not clear what the problem is that the Government seems to think it needs to solve,” she told the Herald.
“The current limits and conditions were not only imposed for local environmental impacts, but also for the wider commuting public, as major events at the park impact many roads, including most directly Sandringham Rd which is a major arterial route.
“Whether events are at Eden Park or elsewhere, the economic impact for Auckland is the same. The most appropriate stance for the Government would be to be venue-neutral in its desire to attract events.
“The Government should focus on the bigger picture of getting major events to Auckland. On both its watch and that of the previous Government, the hosting of the America’s Cup defence has moved offshore, denying Auckland and NZ as a whole the benefit of the visitors which that attracts.”
Eden Park CEO Nick Sautner said the investigation into the rules “marks a significant step forward for Auckland and New Zealand”.
“This review, alongside the Government’s $70m investment in major events and tourism, is about unlocking opportunities for our city and our country.
“By reducing regulatory barriers that currently restrict the number, timing, and scale of events Eden Park can host, we can fully enable the stadium’s capability as New Zealand’s national stadium.”
Sautner said major events at the stadium generate “undeniable benefits”.
Last year, over 180,000 Coldplay fans attended three sold-out concerts, which created more than 3000 event-day jobs each night, he said.
“When ticketholders become tourists, they contribute to spending across accommodation, hospitality, retail, and transport.”
Sautner said removing the barriers the stadium faces to host major events “will unlock further economic and social benefits”.