Maestros and more at Stadium

Thousands flocked to North Harbour Stadium over summer to be entertained by a range of performers including two maestros called Carlos.

The versatility of the multi-purpose sports and entertainment facility in Albany was put to the test as first class cricket, first grade rugby league, Super 12 rugby and two rock concerts came to town. An estimated 60,000 people came to watch.

Two of the highlights were the Blues' 39-5 thrashing of defending Super 12 champions the Crusaders, featuring the mercurial talents of first-five Carlos Spencer, and the concert by legendary guitarist Carlos Santana who fused the blues with South American rhythm in a performance that charmed all ages.

North Harbour Stadium general manager, Wayne Scurrah, says there was something for just about everyone and there's more to come.

"The football season ahead will feature five Harbour home NPC games, the Chatham Cup soccer final and a Maori vs. Tonga rugby clash," he says.

"We're disappointed that the Middle East crisis prompted the postponement of the planned All Whites-Iran soccer international this weekend but that's the only let down. We look forward to hosting this game when it's rescheduled, as it's sure to draw a bumper crowd.

"Besides all the action on the newly-laid fields and the newly-created cricket oval out the back, our function centre has been busy with a range of events including the recent North Shore Business Expo," says Wayne Scurrah.

Attendance figures for events this summer: * Bryan Adams - 26 January - 5,000 (Canadian pop star on anniversary weekend) * State Shield Final - 1 Feb - 2,500 (Northern Districts pipped Auckland Aces) * State of Origin (North vs. South Island) - 2 Feb - 1,500 (the Mainlanders won) * Vodafone Warriors vs. Cronulla Sharks, 22 Feb, 14,000 (Warriors beat the Australians) * Blues vs. Crusaders, 8 March, 25,000 (Blues ended the Crusaders' winning streak in style in front of a sell-out crowd) * Santana, 22 March, 12,000 (guitar great in action)

For more information on the North Harbour Stadium, people are invited to check out its website www.stadium.co.nz or call 415 0150.

The North Shore City Council is pleased the stadium's summer events programme achieved a high level of success.

"We're delighted to see the facility so well used by such a wide cross section of the community," says deputy mayor, Dianne Hale. "It's been great entertainment at a great venue that's now well and truly on the map."

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