Authorities losing sight of 'stadium of 4m'

Authorities losing sight of 'stadium of four million' concept

An Auckland business community claims the Government and the Auckland Regional Council are getting too "CBD-centric" in their Rugby World Cup planning, and need to remember the concept promised to the New Zealand public and sold to the IRB: 'A stadium of four million'.

"There is too much focus on CBD Auckland's waterfront, which is potentially alienating the wider public and the likes of hospitality businesses that have long been promised a slice of the action," says Cameron Brewer, chief executive of the Newmarket Business Association.

"There is a growing concern that the authorities have lost sight of the 'stadium of four million people' concept and are now more focused on making their own organisations and politicians look good. When NZRFU pitched to the IRB for the rights to host the Rugby World Cup , it was all about New Zealanders' ability to get involved and be great hosts.

“The worry is that it’s now looking more like some in Government trying to save face and the chairman of the Auckland Regional Council trying to secure a seat on the Super City council. The wider Auckland public and businesses are seemingly getting lost in the mix and are getting further down the pecking order.

“Areas like Newmarket want to be part of the action, but we’re increasingly worried that this is fast becoming a CBD-event, with express trains from Britomart to Kingsland now also set to potentially bypass Newmarket.

“Let’s not forget the hundreds of bars, restaurants, and cafes around Auckland that pay big rates and rents and have had a pretty tough two years. Authorities should not get too carried away with issuing too many new liquor licences for the likes open air venues. They should not bite the hand that feeds them. Auckland is already so well endowed with great hospitality,” says Cameron Brewer.

ENDS

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