Council votes 'yes' to waterfront stadium
By Mathew Dearnaley and Anne Beston
UPDATED 12.50am Friday November 24, 2006By Mathew Dearnaley and Anne Beston Auckland City Council took almost five hours last night to vote for a $500 million-plus waterfront stadium as long as it goes "substantially" further east than the Government's proposed site. Auckland City Council took almost five hours last night to vote for a $500 million-plus waterfront stadium as long as it goes "substantially" further east than the Government's proposed site. In a furious debate stalled for half an hour at the outset by the police eviction of a protester and her banner, the council voted 13-7 for the waterfront stadium instead of a $385 million revamp of Eden Park for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. In a furious debate stalled for half an hour at the outset by the police eviction of a protester and her banner, the council voted 13-7 for the waterfront stadium instead of a $385 million revamp of Eden Park for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. A call by Deputy Mayor Bruce Hucker for the stadium to either go all the way to busy Bledisloe Wharf or to Eden Park was dismissed by other councillors as "a bridge too far" which risked jeopardising the city's relationship with the Auckland Regional Council, owner of the port company. A call by Deputy Mayor Bruce Hucker for the stadium to either go all the way to busy Bledisloe Wharf or to Eden Park was dismissed by other councillors as "a bridge too far" which risked jeopardising the city's relationship with the Auckland Regional Council, owner of the port company. That will not be lost on regional chairman Mike Lee, who sat through most of the debate before leaving to catch some sleep for his own council's decision-making session on the stadium starting at 9.30am. That will not be lost on regional chairman Mike Lee, who sat through most of the debate before leaving to catch some sleep for his own council's decision-making session on the stadium starting at 9.30am. Listen to the meeting live on Newstalk ZB Dr Hucker warned that Aucklanders would "live to regret the consequences" if the city ignored the concerns of a vast majority of urban design professionals that the Government's nominated site across Captain Cook and Marsden wharves would significantly damage the entire Britomart precinct. Dr Hucker warned that Aucklanders would "live to regret the consequences" if the city ignored the concerns of a vast majority of urban design professionals that the Government's nominated site across Captain Cook and Marsden wharves would significantly damage the entire Britomart precinct. But at the end of the night he supported the substantive resolution, after Eden Park won support as a backstop option if the waterfront site proved impossible, and the council passed an amendment from Citizens and Ratepayers Now councillor Doug Armstrong that the stadium be located "substantially eastwards". But at the end of the night he supported the substantive resolution, after Eden Park won support as a backstop option if the waterfront site proved impossible, and the council passed an amendment from Citizens and Ratepayers Now councillor Doug Armstrong that the stadium be located "substantially eastwards". Mayor Dick Hubbard, who described the decision as history-making, said there was 250m between the two sites and Britomart precinct developer Bluewater had indicated it would accept a stadium centred on Marsden Wharf as a compromise. Mayor Dick Hubbard, who described the decision as history-making, said there was 250m between the two sites and Britomart precinct developer Bluewater had indicated it would accept a stadium centred on Marsden Wharf as a compromise. Councillor Richard Northey said the Government had given Auckland a choice between "two good, workable and exciting" options and he described a waterfront stadium as a "visionary leap." Councillor Richard Northey said the Government had given Auckland a choice between "two good, workable and exciting" options and he described a waterfront stadium as a "visionary leap." City finance chair Vern Walsh said arguments for other venues were pointless as the Government was offering to pay for the waterfront stadium with no direct contributions from ratepayers apart from associated infrastructure such as turning Quay St into a pedestrian-dominated boulevard. City finance chair Vern Walsh said arguments for other venues were pointless as the Government was offering to pay for the waterfront stadium with no direct contributions from ratepayers apart from associated infrastructure such as turning Quay St into a pedestrian-dominated boulevard. But Faye Storer warned that Sport Minister Trevor Mallard had said the Government would make it possible for rates to be raised through the Auckland region, on top of visitor bed and airport taxes. But Faye Storer warned that Sport Minister Trevor Mallard had said the Government would make it possible for rates to be raised through the Auckland region, on top of visitor bed and airport taxes. Just before the vote, Mr Hubbard said some of the world's greatest buildings were created "out of the cauldron of controversy" including Paris' Eiffel Tower and Sydney's Opera House. "We cannot miss this opportunity, the debate is about the future shape, nature and style of Auckland City." Just before the vote, Mr Hubbard said some of the world's greatest buildings were created "out of the cauldron of controversy" including Paris' Eiffel Tower and Sydney's Opera House. "We cannot miss this opportunity, the debate is about the future shape, nature and style of Auckland City." After the vote opponents of the waterfront site were visibly upset. After the vote opponents of the waterfront site were visibly upset. "This is an appalling decision," said councillor Christine Caughey. "This is an appalling decision," said councillor Christine Caughey. She had earlier said the Government was "holding a gun to our heads" and the stadium would be three times the size of the largest downtown office block. She had earlier said the Government was "holding a gun to our heads" and the stadium would be three times the size of the largest downtown office block. "Imagine that on the edge of our harbour - Auckland will be like a Noddy town, dwarfed by this monstrosity." "Imagine that on the edge of our harbour - Auckland will be like a Noddy town, dwarfed by this monstrosity." Councillor Richard Simpson said the waterfront option was not a bold vision but a "stupid decision". He said video promotions of the stadium used by Mr Mallard had all been filmed at night-time. "Visualise it during the day and it will look like a big wart." Councillor Richard Simpson said the waterfront option was not a bold vision but a "stupid decision". He said video promotions of the stadium used by Mr Mallard had all been filmed at night-time. "Visualise it during the day and it will look like a big wart." Ms Storer said: "What I hated was the way everyone sucked up to Mallard when he came to town. He was short on figures but hell of a big on rhetoric." Ms Storer said: "What I hated was the way everyone sucked up to Mallard when he came to town. He was short on figures but hell of a big on rhetoric." Councillor Penny Sefuiva called the stadium "absurd and jellyfish-like" and Dr Cathy Casey said it would be a "black hole" of debt for generations to come.
Councillor Penny Sefuiva called the stadium "absurd and jellyfish-like" and Dr Cathy Casey said it would be a "black hole" of debt for generations to come. Video • Watch stadium video * * Requires Windows Media Player Links • Pictures: Waterfront stadium • How the councillors voted Tools • Printer Friendly
The Auckland City Council in New Zealand has approved the proposed NZ$700 million+ waterfront stadium in 13-7 (yes-no) vote in a marathon session lasting nearly 5 hours on Thursday night instead of an upgrade of Eden Park costing around $400 million. However they have called for the stadium to be location "substantially east" of the central government's preferred Marsden Wharf/Captain Cook site. The proposed stadium has been dubbed "Stadium New Zealand" by the media.

Two weeks ago Trevor Mallard, sports minister, said that the two councils had two weeks to come up with a decision on whether or not to support a waterfront stadium or Eden Park.

It is now falls on the Auckland Regional Council to approve the stadium plans or propose something else, which is supposed to happen tomorrow, Friday. Based on both these decisions, the central government will then make a decision on whether to construct the new Stadium New Zealand or upgrade the current Eden Park, located also in Auckland, which site will also be chosen. It is intended that this stadium will be used for the 2011 Rugby World Cup final.

Dick Hubbard, Mayor of Auckland, said: "In the past Auckland had missed too many opportunities. We can't get it wrong, we cannot bypass this opportunity. Controversy is a good sign, a healthy sign – all the major projects around the world have had controversy. Today it's not about rugby, it is about boldness and vision against caution."

As long as the waterfront stadium is moved then they have a "strong and absolute preference" towards the stadium. Neil Abel, councillor, had tried to remove the "strong and absolute" remark because he believes that Aucklanders did not get an opportunity to indicate that the decision is absolute.

Christine Caughey, councillor, said that the pressure that was put upon them for their decision by Mr Mallard was like "putting a gun to your head."

Other councillors also said that there wasn't enough time given for Aucklanders to have their say and to make their decision. They also said that some of their questions about the costs and transport, etc were left unanswered.

Despite those setbacks the majority did agree that the design of the stadium should be "bold, iconic and reflect our first city of the Pacific aspirations".

If the government cant make a deal with the Ports of Auckland, which owns the land the waterfront stadium is to be located, the regional council, other stakeholders, to move the stadium then the ACC will withdraw their support and support their second favoured, an upgrade of Eden Park.