What happened to the "stadium of 4 million"?

What happened to the “stadium of 4 million” concept??

Emphasis around Rugby World Cup festivities has become far too Auckland CBD-centric, with authorities losing sight of what was promised to Kiwis and the IRB in Dublin when New Zealand lobbied for the hosting rights in 2005,” claims an Auckland business association leader.

“Authorities have become obsessed with putting on one big party in CBD Auckland. They have completely lost sight of the ‘stadium of four million’ concept. They have got far too “CBD-centric” in their Rugby World Cup planning. They need to remember the concept promised to the New Zealand public and the IRB – that everyone would be involved and could benefit,” says Cameron Brewer, chief executive of the Newmarket Business Association.

“There is now 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.

“There is a growing concern that the authorities are now more focused on making their own organisations and politicians look good. When the NZRFU pitched to the IRB for the hosting rights, it was all about New Zealanders’ ability to get involved and be great hosts.

“The worry is that it’s now become more about Mike Lee trying to save face and 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 it's becoming an exclusively CBD-event, with express trains from Britomart to Kingsland now also set to completely bypass Newmarket and its new $35m railway station.

"We want to promote Newmarket as a great place to 'park, dine and ride' for those big late night games in the last couple of weeks of the Rugby World Cup. However it's looking increasingly likely the Newmarket station won't be playing much of a role at all.

“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.

“Sadly people some have got too carried away, and have turned their backs on Auckland’s hospitality sector by focusing on one ego party and issuing too many new liquor licenses for the likes of open air venues. Authorities shouldn’t be biting the hospitality hand that feeds them so well,” said Cameron Brewer.

ENDS

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