12 September 2006
Comment on stadium
"New Zealand will provide a fitting world-class finals venue for the Rugby World Cup in 2011," Minister for the Rugby
World Cup Trevor Mallard said today.
Trevor Mallard made the comment when he confirmed the government was evaluating the potential of using downtown
waterfront sites for developing a world-class stadium, in addition to evaluating the proposed redevelopment of Eden
Park.
"The government wants an assurance that there is no alternative better option to the Eden Park proposal, given the
considerable size of the potential investment required.
"It is important that the opportunity to capture the enduring social and economic benefits of what could be a
potentially multi-purpose facility is not lost. Proximity to good transport hubs, hospitality facilities, hotels,
parking and the CBD are key to a city being able to leverage off this investment.
"We see an opportunity to work with the councils and regional authorities to explore what Auckland believes would best
achieve a world-class facility which compliments and enhances the city’s conference and event-hosting strategies and
which, I would hope, also drives Auckland’s aspirations to be a world class city," Trevor Mallard said.
Trevor Mallard said there was an expectation that the government would assist with raising the funding necessary, on top
of the $20 million commitment it had made as part of the joint government-rugby union bid, but decisions on this would
be made once evaluations on the two proposals were complete.
"The evaluations of the Eden Park and alternative waterfront option requested by the government are due in mid-October
and until cabinet has considered them, there will be no further comment."
ENDS