Govt to investigate whether Eden Park being held back by red tape

Monday, 15 September 2025

The Government will investigate whether red tape is holding back Auckland’s Eden Park from reaching its full potential as a major stadium.

Hot on the heels of a $70m tourism package announced on Sunday, in part intended to bring more large-scale live events to New Zealand, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop wants to see whether rules around what Eden Park can host are holding back economic growth.

“We’ve heard that there are local rules and constraints around Eden Park that could be restricting its ability to host events,” said Bishop in a statement.

“For example, Eden Park is only allowed to host six artists playing a total of 12 shows per year. These shows can only take place on certain days of the week, can only have a maximum duration of five hours, have to be finished by 11pm on weekdays, and can host no more than four concerts in a four-week period.

“Sporting events face many barriers too. The stadium is currently not allowed to host more than 25 night-time sporting events per year, and they can only be between 7.30pm and 9.30 pm on weekdays (except for cricket which can go until 10pm). Sporting events can’t take place on Sunday evenings.”

Bishop will use special powers under the Resource Management Act to carry out his investigation, with the possibility the rules around the stadium could be directly amended if they are found to be stifling economic growth.

“There are steps and safeguards associated with the use of this power. The minister must investigate the impacts of the provisions and whether specified statutory criteria are met, and produce a report which must be made publicly available,” Bishop said.

New Zealand’s live events programme has been in the spotlight, with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon signalling he’d like to see a “total rethink” that could put New Zealand more in line with Australia.

“It’s really important that we are competitive, that we are able to attract major events to New Zealand,” Luxon told reporters last week.

“It’s really important for economic activity, economic development, regional economic development.”

Speaking at Monday’s post-cabinet press conference, Luxon said the new tourism package, which includes $40m to secure large-scale international events from 2026, would mean fewer New Zealanders having to head to Australia for concerts.

“I'd rather New Zealand fans were spending their discretionary income here in New Zealand than Australia. Better still, I'd rather Australians were spending their money New Zealand,” he said.

Tourism Minister Louise Upston said she wants to see more major concerts held at the national stadium.

“Last summer Auckland’s economy received a boost of nearly $32 million from several big concerts. These events created jobs and had local hospitality businesses humming,” she said.

Eden Park’s ability to host major events has long been a point of contention among locals.

Luxon said he recognised there would be a “range of views” about the stadium hosting more shows.

“I've observed people who are also very happy to have those events within that area as well,” he said.

Asked why the Government was initiating a review rather than simply making the changes now, Luxon said the outcome of the inquiry wasn’t “pre-determined” and this process would allow for consultation with locals and Auckland Council.

Upston had previously questioned whether concerts generated economic value for New Zealand, telling RNZ that “the profit tends to go offshore”.

Speaking on Monday, she said this inquiry was about all sorts of live events - and not just gigs.

“We want to maximize the flexibility that we have at Eden Park, so it's for concerts, it's for sporting events, it's for expos, festivals, shows, all sorts of things, to ensure that we're bringing more visitors and more economic activity to Auckland and across the country,” she said.

Concerts “absolutely” generated economic value, she said.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins said more large-scale events would be “great for Auckland and New Zealand”, but criticised the Government for cutting funding for major events in last year’s Budget.

On Eden Park specifically, he said he would like to see the stadium more widely used but acknowledged that some locals may have concerns.

“In an ideal world, if you were building Eden Park, you wouldn't build it where Eden Park is - but that is where Eden Park is, and I'd like to see more events at Eden Park.”