Helen Clark wants court to decide Eden Park charity concert plan

Thursday, 5 July 2018

Former prime minister Helen Clark speaks out about the charity concert planned for Eden Park.

Former prime minister Helen Clark does not want to meet the organiser of a proposed charity concert at Eden Park, saying it should be decided by the Environment Court.

Clark said she has nothing against the plan by inventor and philanthropist Sir Ray Avery, and her opposition is about the venue, which should give way to housing.

'It is about Eden Park, he in my opinion is being used by Eden Park to set a precedent for a concert, and once you set a precedent who knows where it will go,' Clark told Stuff on Thursday.

Clark lives three blocks from the Sandringham grounds. Sir Ray described her submission opposing planning approval as a 'fall from grace'.

Former prime minister Helen Clark says she is not interested in meeting with Sir Ray Avery over his Eden Park concert plan.

*** Helen Clark's concert opposition a 'fall from grace': Sir Ray Avery

* Live Aid-style charity concert is set to be held at Auckland's Eden Park**

The inventor hopes $4 million can be raised from the concert and linked fundraising events to supply incubators he invented for premature babies in developing countries.

First it needs to gain planning approval, as Eden Park's automatic rights are restricted to staging sports events within defined hours.

'Eden Park has been trying for years to get permission for concerts, and every time it has been knocked back through proper planning processes,' said Clark.

Sir Ray Avery led the announcement at Eden Park Stadium on Wednesday

Sir Ray hoped he could meet opponents in person and persuade Clark of the merits of the charity plan, but she said she is not interested.

'I think it has to play out before proper planning processes, and in the course of that the proponent might decide there's less hassle in going to Mt Smart Stadium which is a readymade venue with all the necessary consents.'

The Waitangi Day event would feature an as-yet unnamed international act which Sir Ray described as 'acoustic'.

The event is being jointly staged by the Sir Ray Avery Foundation and Eden Park Trust.

Clark described herself as a longtime supporter of the Eden Park Neighbours Association which also intends to oppose the concert before the Environment Court.

Sir Ray said he's disappointed in the opposition, especially from Clark who he said had 'come down to be a petty politician'.

'It just doesn't make sense to me - the concert will run for three hours and change the lives of many babies born too soon,' he said.

The wrangle comes as Eden Park seeks to widen the number and type of events it can stage, to boost revenue which doesn't cover depreciation, or allow it to repay debt.

Its Trust Board hoped long-term to prove the viability of Eden Park to remain the country's premier sports venue, as discussion revived about a new downtown stadium, which Clark supported.

'In my opinion a good idea, because transport nodes from all over the metro area are coming into the CBD,' she said

'That would raise the issue: What about Eden Park? If you're looking for the intensification of housing, mixed use housing, then you might have a good venue for that at Eden Park.'

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