Questions over taxpayer support for Post Malone concert as some tickets near $800
Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Some tickets for an upcoming concert by American rapper Post Malone, partially supported by the Government’s taxpayer-funded events package, are selling for close to $800.
It has one commentator questioning why New Zealanders are helping pay for a show that many won’t be able to afford to attend - though the minister in charge of the events fund said ticket prices were decided by promoters.
Malone is bringing his BIG ASS World Tour to Auckland’s Mount Smart Stadium in October.
The press release announcing the gig included comments from Tourism Minister Louise Upston, who said she was thrilled the performer would be visiting New Zealand this year.
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“When world-renowned artists visit New Zealand, they generate significant economic benefits and create a real buzz and that’s why we invest in them.”
But the price of tickets for the gig has raised eyebrows, especially given the show received funding from the $70 million Major Events and Tourism fund.
On social media, one person wrote: “I was going to take my kids but at $410 a ticket I think I’ll pass.”
Another described the Government’s events fund as a “slush fund” for offshore promoters ‒ a criticism similarly levelled by Labour leader Chris Hipkins, and even ACT MP Todd Stephenson.
The Ticketmaster presale for Malone’s October gig shows tickets in some upper sections of the stadium are available for about $176.
However, rear standing tickets are $237, tickets in the southern stand are about $400, and front standing tickets ‒ called the golden circle ‒ are $410. VIP tickets are even pricier, as much as $767.
Music commentator Chris Schulz, who pens the Boiler Room Substack, told The Post there was a lack of transparency around the the events fund.
“We don't know how much the Government paid for Post Malone to come here, so we don't know how much is invested in it, and then also we don't know how those ticket structures work, because Live Nation's ticketing system is so opaque,” he said.
Live Nation is the promoter behind Malone’s show.
“Why are we paying for a concert where tickets are so expensive ‒ your taxpayer dollars are going into it. And if you want to go to it, you've got to spend top dollar.”
The Government’s event fund has already been used to secure other international acts including UK singer Robbie Williams, US rock band Linkin Park and Australian rugby league’s State of Origin.
Auckland mayor Wayne Brown has previously criticised the decision-making, given funding was pulled for the SailGP regatta causing the event to drop its Auckland leg last year.
“They’ve put $3 million ahead to have a tattooed pom come here and sing. We’ve got lots of tattooed singers here,” Brown said, in reference to Williams.
That $3m figure was never confirmed by the Government.
Schulz said it was “jarring” to see local events like Splore and the Others Way Festival go under while the Government was investing in overseas artists.
“Big shows are definitely back, but we don't know how they're funding these things. We just have no idea who's choosing them. Is it Upston in her office, yes or no-ing them? Is there a panel of experts?” he said.
“To then see someone like Post Malone come along and bring his own opening act in Don Toliver and suck up who knows how much government funding … It’s a very bad look.”
Schulz said one easy change the Government could make would be to require overseas artists brought here with taxpayer funding add a local artist as their opening act ‒ a call recently echoed on-stage at the Taite Music Awards by MusicHelps manager Carmel Bennett.
“Why the hell are we allowing international acts to play here without local openers?” she said. “No local act, no visa.”
Schulz said requiring some sort of local representation would negate much of the criticism of the fund. “The Government could say, ‘look, we're putting local artists on an international stage next to these top-tier talents’, and there's an argument to be made that that is money well spent.”
Malone’s show is also not a guaranteed sell-out. He recently cancelled the first three weeks of his overseas tour; officially, this was due to work on his next album not being finished but reports suggest ticket sales were also to blame.
Williams, meanwhile, has not sold out either of his headline concerts in Christchurch and Auckland. His Auckland show at Eden Park has tickets available in most sections, though the prices are ‒ on average ‒ lower than Malone’s (the priciest non-VIP seat will set you back $249 before fees).
Speaking in Auckland earlier this month, Labour’s Chris Hipkins said the events fund should not be used to subsidise “your favourite band or sports team” but instead be invested in major events that put New Zealand on the world stage, like the Rugby World Cup.
Schulz said he felt conflicted criticising the fund given he spent much of last year calling out the lack of big performers visiting our shores.
“I can't help but look back at last year ‒ you had the world's hottest acts, you had Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar, Oasis, Billie Eilish ‒ these acts that so many Kiwis were going to Australia and paying to see, spending a lot of money on travel ‒ and so then to see Robbie Williams, Post Malone?
“It's down to personal taste, but again, we don't know how much is being spent on them. We don't even know what the decision making process is. We're told that's commercially sensitive.”
Upston, in a statement, said ticket pricing was determined by promoters and artists.
“It is an independent commercial decision. The Government's role is to ensure New Zealand remains competitive in securing events like these that bring jobs, visitors and international profile to New Zealand,” she said.
Using the title of a Post Malone track, Upston added: “We are backing big events to make the economy 'Better Now'. We know many are going to enjoy the Post Malone concert - not least the local businesses that will get a boost from the punters the concert attracts.“