A group planning a concert venue at Auckland's Western Springs want council approval to get on with it. 

A different bid recommended by council staff - for an arena backed by Auckland FC rich-listers - has been withdrawn.

The council says more assessment's needed to find a path forward. 

Eccles Entertainment Founder Brent Eccles says he's thrilled the competition's pulled out. 

He says his group remains the obvious choice. 

"I believe that we're kind of in the box seat now, there were only two expressions of interest that were accepted - from us to build a proper concert bowl."

LISTEN ABOVE

A group planning a concert venue at Auckland's Western Springs want council approval to get on with it.&nbsp;
A different bid recommended by council staff - for an arena backed by Auckland FC rich-listers - has been withdrawn.
The council says more assessment's needed to find a path forward.&nbsp;
Eccles Entertainment Founder Brent Eccles says he's thrilled the competition's pulled out.&nbsp;
He says his group remains the obvious choice.&nbsp;
"I believe that we're kind of in the box seat now, there were only two expressions of interest that were accepted - from us to build a proper concert bowl."
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Brent Eccles: Eccles Entertainment founder on Auckland Arena pulling out of Western Springs project

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/db280e77-7cd0-407a-af33-b31400521340/transcript

Snippets leaked to the British press about royal couple Harry and Meghan's plans in the UK may have spurred King Charles to take a firm stance, according to new reports.

The King released a letter clarifying the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain private citizens and won't resume royal duties.

They can't use the titles His or Her Royal Highness.

Royal correspondent Victoria Arbiter says there'd been talk the pair wanted to ramp up their charity work. 

"The King has made it very clear that no, they are there furthering their own interests, they do not represent the monarchy or the Sovereign himself."  

LISTEN ABOVE

Snippets leaked to the British press about royal couple Harry and Meghan's plans in the UK may have spurred King Charles to take a firm stance, according to new reports.
The King released a letter clarifying the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain private citizens and won't resume royal duties.
They can't use the titles His or Her Royal Highness.
Royal correspondent Victoria Arbiter says there'd been talk the pair wanted to ramp up their charity work.&nbsp;
"The King has made it very clear that no, they are there furthering their own interests, they do not represent the monarchy or the Sovereign himself."&nbsp;&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Victoria Arbiter: royal correspondent on King Charles clarifying Harry and Meghan remain non-working royals

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/4a05f747-dc51-4d09-953d-b4bf006da64c/transcript

Locals can only watch and wait as Rotorua police investigate a triple homicide after a woman and two children died last night. 

Emergency services arrived to find the children's bodies in a Glenholme property, and the woman died soon after.

A man's appeared in the District Court charged with assault in a family relationship - to reappear next month.

Rotorua Daily Post reporter Annabel Reid says neighbours who saw police arrive have been looking on today. 

"They were discussing it on the street with one another and watching as police carried out their duties - they had tape measures and markers and drones." 

LISTEN ABOVE

Locals can only watch and wait as Rotorua police investigate a triple homicide after a woman and two children died last night.&nbsp;
Emergency services arrived to find the children's bodies in a Glenholme property, and the woman died soon after.
A man's appeared in the District Court charged with assault in a family relationship - to reappear next month.
Rotorua Daily Post reporter Annabel Reid says neighbours who saw police arrive have been looking on today.&nbsp;
"They were discussing it on the street with one another and watching as police carried out their duties - they had tape measures and markers and drones."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Annabel Reid: Rotorua Daily Post reporter on the ongoing investigations into Rotorua triple homicide

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/45f8e9b0-c3f3-4cd4-9a0e-b4bf00641e8f/transcript

National's promising councils a share of the International Visitor Levy instead of a bed tax.

It wants to split revenue from the $100 levy - currently going to conservation and tourism. 

It would ring-fence $150 million a year for that, letting councils divvy out the remainder based on their number of international guest nights. 

Tourism Spokesperson Louise Upston says New Zealand's cities have differing needs for that funding and it'll be split accordingly.

"This way, it'll get funding from the 1st of July next year, whereas a bed tax would have been at least May '29 before they got any funding - and the best part about this is that Kiwis won't be taxed any time they stay in a hotel." 

LISTEN ABOVE

National's promising councils a share of the International Visitor Levy instead of a bed tax.
It wants to split revenue from the $100 levy - currently going to conservation and tourism.&nbsp;
It would ring-fence $150 million a year for that, letting councils divvy out the remainder based on their number of international guest nights.&nbsp;
Tourism Spokesperson Louise Upston says New Zealand's cities have differing needs for that funding and it'll be split accordingly.
"This way, it'll get funding from the 1st of July next year, whereas a bed tax would have been at least May '29 before they got any funding - and the best part about this is that Kiwis won't be taxed any time they stay in a hotel."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Louise Upston: Tourism Minister on the Government proposing an International Visitor Levy instead of a bed tax

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/dc95e77d-aef6-4a54-916c-b4bf005c4930/transcript

Brent Eccles: Eccles Entertainment founder on Auckland Arena pulling out of Western Springs project

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