Eden Park has been granted consent to host up to 12 concert events featuring six different artists in a calendar year.
The announcement follows “extraordinary public support” that saw more than 2000 submissions made with 94% in favour of an increased number of live music events at the stadium.
Eden Park was previously limited to six concerts per year that could take place on weekdays, Saturdays, Sundays preceding a public holiday, and public holidays — subject to restrictions under the resource consent.
Eden Park’s chief executive Nick Sautner said it was a “landmark moment for Auckland and New Zealand’s entertainment scene”.
“Expanding venue availability enables us to offer artists flexibility to perform multiple shows to meet fan demand, making Auckland a more attractive stop on their global tours,” he said.
“Live concerts at Eden Park create over 3000 jobs for each event and attract thousands of visitors to our city, boosting our tourism, hospitality and accommodation sectors while also providing much-needed escapism and entertainment for people,” Sautner said.
Earlier this month approximately 160,000 Coldplay fans flocked to the stadium for three shows at the stadium.
Rebecca Martin told Breakfast she has now seen the band perform 11 times across the globe. (Source: Breakfast)
“These shows delivered millions to our GDP to demonstrate the venue’s impact,” he said.
“Eden Park has been a cornerstone of Auckland’s cultural and sporting landscape for over 120 years. This consent allows us to build on that legacy, attracting top global artists while maintaining our commitment to being a valuable asset for our community and strategic asset for New Zealand.”
‘We’re very excited’ – Eden Park Residents Association
Eden Park Residents Association spokesperson Shona Tagg told 1News the group were “very excited” after being told the news this morning.
“It does feel like it’s been a long time coming, but on behalf of our members and our community we’re going to be very stoked and excited. People have been telling us for ages that they want concerts, they’ve been telling us they just want Eden Park to be used more, and now it will be.”
She said of their surveyed members, there was only a “small minority” who were not in favour of the increased number of concerts.
“We surveyed our members, and 91% were in support of twelve concerts,” she said.
“The thing people keep telling us is they can plan for these events. These concerts are known a long time out. It’s not like your neighbours having a random party, we know what’s happening. So as locals we can makes plans a long way out to either be there, not be there or manage our life around them.”
Tagg said the move would bring a “vibrancy to our city and therefore help the economy”.
‘Real boost for local businesses’ – Hospitality New Zealand
Hsopitality New Zealand’s chief executive Steve Armitage said the decision was “welcome news for Auckland’s hospitality sector”.
“Major events like concerts at Eden Park bring life and energy to the city, and they’re a real boost for local businesses, including hospitality and accommodation operators.
“Our sector thrives when visitors come to our cities and towns. The run of Coldplay and Pearl Jam concerts in Auckland earlier this month brought the city to life, filling our venues and restaurants with visitors keen to experience more than just the music. Accommodation occupancies were also close to 90%,” he said.
Recent research from Massey University showed that for every dollar spent on live performance, $3.20 was returned in benefits to the wider community.
“Auckland businesses in our sector will be ready to welcome locals and visitors heading to Eden Park, and to make the most of the opportunities that more concerts will create,” Armitage said.
