You're listening to the sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave from news Talk ZEDB.

You're listening to the sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave from news Talk ZEDB.

It's eleven past seven Stadium Talk. It never goes away. It's a recurring nightmare for everyone in and around Auckland. They're still finding consortiums and people's garden sheds. The list goes on. But finally the Stadium Working Group today of the Council has said, you know what, we're given the thumbs up to Eden Park two point one. What does that actually mean? Stadium Working Group chair Shane Henderson joins us now evening, mate, Yeah, good evening, huge day in the story the long running saga of Auckland stadia. First up, I'd like you to explain to us and the listeners out there what exactly you were voting on.

It's eleven past seven Stadium Talk. It never goes away. It's a recurring nightmare for everyone in and around Auckland. They're still finding consortiums and people's garden sheds. The list goes on. But finally the Stadium Working Group today of the Council has said, you know what, we're given the thumbs up to Eden Park two point one. What does that actually mean? Stadium Working Group chair Shane Henderson joins us now evening, mate, Yeah, good evening, huge day in the story the long running saga of Auckland stadia. First up, I'd like you to explain to us and the listeners out there what exactly you were voting on.

Yes, I think a great day for the city.

Yes, I think a great day for the city.

So councilors voted by a majority of seventeen to two to endorse Eden Park is essentially the our choice as a city for the national stadium for Auckland, and that carries I think strong kind of advocacy. Wait for that trust to raise some money with either central government or private partners or both, safe in the knowledge that we're backing them.

So councilors voted by a majority of seventeen to two to endorse Eden Park is essentially the our choice as a city for the national stadium for Auckland, and that carries I think strong kind of advocacy. Wait for that trust to raise some money with either central government or private partners or both, safe in the knowledge that we're backing them.

To the hell right.

To the hell right.

So advocacy this is what it's all about. You don't actually have a huge amount of say about finance, about ownership of land, about anything. It's just you saying the Auckland Council like this idea will back it.

So advocacy this is what it's all about. You don't actually have a huge amount of say about finance, about ownership of land, about anything. It's just you saying the Auckland Council like this idea will back it.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Well it's a signal to the market, isn't it that you can confidently partner with these guys and it'll pass muster and we want to back it in any way that we can kind of do from that kind of political standpoint.

Well it's a signal to the market, isn't it that you can confidently partner with these guys and it'll pass muster and we want to back it in any way that we can kind of do from that kind of political standpoint.

So what do you base that on.

So what do you base that on.

Well, we've done a.

Well, we've done a.

Two year process of identifying bids for a national stadium. We ended up with four and then recently we voted that down to two, and then today we voted that down to one. So look, it's been a long process, but I think a really thorough one and a really exciting one.

Two year process of identifying bids for a national stadium. We ended up with four and then recently we voted that down to two, and then today we voted that down to one. So look, it's been a long process, but I think a really thorough one and a really exciting one.

It was dominant, wasn't it Eden Park? They rolled right over top of every bodybody else. Why do you think that was the case, Shane.

It was dominant, wasn't it Eden Park? They rolled right over top of every bodybody else. Why do you think that was the case, Shane.

Well, I think ultimately we had a report with some staff advice that said, look, both bids that we're dealing with had some issues, but Eden Park had significantly less issues and their main issue is actually finding the money right and without our sort of voice, I think that.

Well, I think ultimately we had a report with some staff advice that said, look, both bids that we're dealing with had some issues, but Eden Park had significantly less issues and their main issue is actually finding the money right and without our sort of voice, I think that.

Can really help them along in that quest.

Can really help them along in that quest.

So they didn't have much in the way of technical problems or anything kind of that.

So they didn't have much in the way of technical problems or anything kind of that.

They're kind of a plug and play option there.

They're kind of a plug and play option there.

You say plug and play. So simplicity is a key to this whole engagement, and I'm presuming with simplicity becomes speed of completion.

You say plug and play. So simplicity is a key to this whole engagement, and I'm presuming with simplicity becomes speed of completion.

Yeah, one hundred percent, and speed of completion obviously will result from kind of financing. But I think the key point here is that we want to compete for the best events within the entire Age of Pacific region. So we're not competing against Wellington and christ Church. We're competing against Australia and Asia to attract some of the best events that we can. And you know, we do need some redevelopment to do that, and I'm glad that we back then in today.

Yeah, one hundred percent, and speed of completion obviously will result from kind of financing. But I think the key point here is that we want to compete for the best events within the entire Age of Pacific region. So we're not competing against Wellington and christ Church. We're competing against Australia and Asia to attract some of the best events that we can. And you know, we do need some redevelopment to do that, and I'm glad that we back then in today.

So when you look at the future, because there's a first step, now one hundred and ten million bucks to that. So we'll talk about the minute. Then there's a second step, then there's a third step. What you're saying is the council are behind each step. They're not going to drag any of the propositions down, we have to re challenge that this is for the whole completed shebang.

So when you look at the future, because there's a first step, now one hundred and ten million bucks to that. So we'll talk about the minute. Then there's a second step, then there's a third step. What you're saying is the council are behind each step. They're not going to drag any of the propositions down, we have to re challenge that this is for the whole completed shebang.

Yeah, and those stages are obviously ordered right. So stage one is the most vital one, and that will be to turn Eden Park, you know, famously having its challenges with a short straight boundary, which helped us a hell of a lot in the twenty fifteen World Cut. But that will turn that they can have retractable setting so they can turn that essentially into a cricket ground.

Yeah, and those stages are obviously ordered right. So stage one is the most vital one, and that will be to turn Eden Park, you know, famously having its challenges with a short straight boundary, which helped us a hell of a lot in the twenty fifteen World Cut. But that will turn that they can have retractable setting so they can turn that essentially into a cricket ground.

As well a proper one that's ICC compliance.

As well a proper one that's ICC compliance.

So that's number one stage and I think a really exciting one for the city. In the future, they'll be looking at various kinds of remodeling to make it for purpose as well.

So that's number one stage and I think a really exciting one for the city. In the future, they'll be looking at various kinds of remodeling to make it for purpose as well.

But that's the first one to get off the ground.

But that's the first one to get off the ground.

So sport's a huge part of this, joined by Counselor Shane Henderson, plainly because it's where the rugby and looks like where the cricket is going to be. It's a very important part of it. But what kind of percentage and when it comes to general entertainment, we're talking things outside of sports like, for example, concerts. How much did that sway the decision that the Council to back this.

So sport's a huge part of this, joined by Counselor Shane Henderson, plainly because it's where the rugby and looks like where the cricket is going to be. It's a very important part of it. But what kind of percentage and when it comes to general entertainment, we're talking things outside of sports like, for example, concerts. How much did that sway the decision that the Council to back this.

Yeah, look, I think you're right.

Yeah, look, I think you're right.

The focus on sport has been quite a fixation for the city and I think in the past for council as well. But you know, in the modern world, concerts are becoming bigger and bigger deals and creating more and more revenue, and some of these world too is absolutely amazing these days, and so we need to be focusing on concerts as well, but also kind of more day to day things like cultural events that Alkander just really get behind as well.

The focus on sport has been quite a fixation for the city and I think in the past for council as well. But you know, in the modern world, concerts are becoming bigger and bigger deals and creating more and more revenue, and some of these world too is absolutely amazing these days, and so we need to be focusing on concerts as well, but also kind of more day to day things like cultural events that Alkander just really get behind as well.

So it's a bigger picture than just sport. But that's we're a sport.

So it's a bigger picture than just sport. But that's we're a sport.

Mad city, so we're obviously going to talk about that as well.

Mad city, so we're obviously going to talk about that as well.

You've got no money, I mean only anyone's got any money quite frankly, Shane, So you're not going to give them anything. And where are they going to get the one hundred and ten million dollars from? You confident they can pick that up from somewhere. The government going to come to the party.

You've got no money, I mean only anyone's got any money quite frankly, Shane, So you're not going to give them anything. And where are they going to get the one hundred and ten million dollars from? You confident they can pick that up from somewhere. The government going to come to the party.

I reckon they're well, I'm confident and I reckon they can pick that up somehow, because you know they'll be looking to partner with fire, the central government or private investment or both cret's a really attractive proposition for economic development and growth in our economy in the city. I mean, if we want to be a culture of yes, then this is an off the shelf option to kind of demonstrate that.

I reckon they're well, I'm confident and I reckon they can pick that up somehow, because you know they'll be looking to partner with fire, the central government or private investment or both cret's a really attractive proposition for economic development and growth in our economy in the city. I mean, if we want to be a culture of yes, then this is an off the shelf option to kind of demonstrate that.

If you want to be a culture of yes. People would suggest you went for the big bad option, which is tetong Roa. This is advancing the course. I know, pro key Park go, this is the future, this is modern, this is uplifting, and they would say Eden Park is a relic of the future. It's basically just adding to someone you're playing lego, what do you say to that? Because you can see the point behind that one, can't you.

If you want to be a culture of yes. People would suggest you went for the big bad option, which is tetong Roa. This is advancing the course. I know, pro key Park go, this is the future, this is modern, this is uplifting, and they would say Eden Park is a relic of the future. It's basically just adding to someone you're playing lego, what do you say to that? Because you can see the point behind that one, can't you.

I can see the point behind that because you know, I think nearly every Aucklander has really strong opinions on stadiums, and they tend to break very evenly in my experience, certainly with my friends and family. But yeah, and people did want us to look at a central city option, for sure, and I think they came back with something that was fantastic, but there were some key issues in terms of its feasibility that we ultimately just couldn't look past. And so look, I respect different opinions, Yeah, look at it's not just a finance thing, although they certainly had sort of some financial challenges as well as did Eden Park. But look, they have some technical issues down there in terms of kind of reordering the city, and it's a fairly small site getting people around it in terms of the transport.

I can see the point behind that because you know, I think nearly every Aucklander has really strong opinions on stadiums, and they tend to break very evenly in my experience, certainly with my friends and family. But yeah, and people did want us to look at a central city option, for sure, and I think they came back with something that was fantastic, but there were some key issues in terms of its feasibility that we ultimately just couldn't look past. And so look, I respect different opinions, Yeah, look at it's not just a finance thing, although they certainly had sort of some financial challenges as well as did Eden Park. But look, they have some technical issues down there in terms of kind of reordering the city, and it's a fairly small site getting people around it in terms of the transport.

There's a few different issues there.

There's a few different issues there.

In terms of the technicalities of what they wanted to do. Look, I back any development they can do down there. I think it's as part of the city that really needs to be unlocked, but it's got to be fit for purpose as well.

In terms of the technicalities of what they wanted to do. Look, I back any development they can do down there. I think it's as part of the city that really needs to be unlocked, but it's got to be fit for purpose as well.

Is this curtains? Do you think for a waterfront stadium? This has been a pipe dream of Auckland is as you said, for decades, and people are tired of consortiums turning out promising everything and nothing ever happening. Is this the death knell?

Is this curtains? Do you think for a waterfront stadium? This has been a pipe dream of Auckland is as you said, for decades, and people are tired of consortiums turning out promising everything and nothing ever happening. Is this the death knell?

Yeah?

Yeah?

Look, I think one of the purposes of this exercises to be really good clear where Auckland Council and by extension, aucklands Land on this question.

Look, I think one of the purposes of this exercises to be really good clear where Auckland Council and by extension, aucklands Land on this question.

And so therefore you know who knows.

And so therefore you know who knows.

I mean, they can develop things, if they can make it work, then there's nothing actually stopping them doing that.

I mean, they can develop things, if they can make it work, then there's nothing actually stopping them doing that.

So in a way it's kind of not over.

So in a way it's kind of not over.

But I think it's a really clear stake in the ground that we have a preferred partner that we want to work with.

But I think it's a really clear stake in the ground that we have a preferred partner that we want to work with.

Tell us about the ownership of eden Park, not only the stadium itself, but the ground it sits upon. This has been problematic in the past. Does this represent future issues?

Tell us about the ownership of eden Park, not only the stadium itself, but the ground it sits upon. This has been problematic in the past. Does this represent future issues?

Yeah, Look, it's always been a little bit of a sticking point in all of these stadium debates. Right so, Eden Park Trust technically not owned by the council. It's owned by a charitable trust that has Crown appointees that's got to each from Auckland Rugby Union in Auckland cricket and so it's owned essentially by a private trust and so that becomes a bit of an issue when we're talking about public stadiums around the council table.

Yeah, Look, it's always been a little bit of a sticking point in all of these stadium debates. Right so, Eden Park Trust technically not owned by the council. It's owned by a charitable trust that has Crown appointees that's got to each from Auckland Rugby Union in Auckland cricket and so it's owned essentially by a private trust and so that becomes a bit of an issue when we're talking about public stadiums around the council table.

So you know, we appreciate that.

So you know, we appreciate that.

Same time, through this process, we've been working with their team and I think we've got full confidence that they can do this to the best of their ability, and I think it's great expertise.

Same time, through this process, we've been working with their team and I think we've got full confidence that they can do this to the best of their ability, and I think it's great expertise.

There so it can be overcome this kind of piecemeal ownership situation. You don't see that as being a roadblock or something that sticks in the throat of the development of this in the future because are you relying on goodwill here?

There so it can be overcome this kind of piecemeal ownership situation. You don't see that as being a roadblock or something that sticks in the throat of the development of this in the future because are you relying on goodwill here?

Yeah.

Yeah.

Look, I'm not too concerned about kind of their ownership structure.

Look, I'm not too concerned about kind of their ownership structure.

I think we need to zoom out and be a bit more visionary.

I think we need to zoom out and be a bit more visionary.

And the fact is we've already got a stadium there that we can redevelop to make it certainly a modern, world class national stadium that can attract these big events. I think it's sensible to look at utilizing it.

And the fact is we've already got a stadium there that we can redevelop to make it certainly a modern, world class national stadium that can attract these big events. I think it's sensible to look at utilizing it.

And finally, our counselor, Shane Henderson thinks, as always for your time, will will this be the national stadium of New Zealand, just not of Auckland.

And finally, our counselor, Shane Henderson thinks, as always for your time, will will this be the national stadium of New Zealand, just not of Auckland.

Yeah, of course.

Yeah, of course.

I mean Auckland produces over a third of the country's GDP one point seven million people. We've got the market here and we can scale up and really take on the world.

I mean Auckland produces over a third of the country's GDP one point seven million people. We've got the market here and we can scale up and really take on the world.

I think it's a great day for the city.

I think it's a great day for the city.

Right, So it's all go you basically you hit the green light. That's happening, Eden Parker, is it And that's what we're looking for in the future.

Right, So it's all go you basically you hit the green light. That's happening, Eden Parker, is it And that's what we're looking for in the future.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And so I may have said this before, but timescale will when you're looking at the first one to be complete and how long before the whole should.

And so I may have said this before, but timescale will when you're looking at the first one to be complete and how long before the whole should.

Be Yeah, Look, We've got some indicative time scales from the Trust. They're looking at sort of a matter of I'm trying to remember it's been a long council meeting, but something like three to five years I think is the indication. But that's going to be heavily dependent on finance, so I think that is a very rough indication.

Be Yeah, Look, We've got some indicative time scales from the Trust. They're looking at sort of a matter of I'm trying to remember it's been a long council meeting, but something like three to five years I think is the indication. But that's going to be heavily dependent on finance, so I think that is a very rough indication.

For more from sports Talk, listen live to news Talks it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.

For more from sports Talk, listen live to news Talks it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.