It’s city v city as new stadium unnerves Dunedin

Thursday, 23 January 2025

Paul Doorn of Dunedin Venues, left, wants to avoid a bidding war, but Venues Ōtautahi head Caroline Harvie Teare, right, says Dunedin must face the reality of competing with One New Zealand, “the most premium stadium in the country” (pictured).

Christchurch is taking a gloves-off approach to competing for stadium bookings with Dunedin, despite mayoral hopes of friendly collaboration.

Christchurch’s $683 million One New Zealand stadium is due to open in April 2026. Its arrival will end the 15-year reign of Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr stadium as the South Island’s top indoor sports and concert venue, which has brought tens of millions of dollars into the city annually.

Dunedin mayor Jules Radich hopes the two southern cities will collaborate.

Caroline Harvie Teare, chief executive of Venues Ōtautahi which will run One New Zealand stadium, said Dunedin would “understandably be nervous” and the two will certainly compete.

“We do want to have a good relationship [with Dunedin]. But we need to make hay while the sun shines,” she said.

A computerised image of the completed One New Zealand stadium.

Dunedin mayor Jules Radich told The Otago Daily Times last week he’d had behind-the-scenes talks with Christchurch about the cities collaborating. He did not expect fewer bookings at Forsyth Barr after One New Zealand stadium opens, he said.

Paul Doorn, chief executive of Dunedin Venues which operates Forsyth Barr, said they hope to avoid a bidding war.

Dunedin-based entertainment promoter Doug Kamo was also quoted as saying the Christchurch stadium would be “a massive thorn in our side” when it came to attracting events to Dunedin, and would have a long honeymoon period.

Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger says Christchurch should not be greedy when looking to attract events to the city’s new stadium.

Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger told The Press he had enjoyed “the odd yarn” with Radich, who had asked him whether One New Zealand stadium would mean “the demise” of Forsyth Barr.

“We should work together. It will drag more people through the South Island,” Mauger said this week.

“If it [an event] can go here or go there, we can work together.

Elton John in concert at Forysth Barr Stadium in Dunedin in February 2020.

“We shouldn’t be greedy. It’s no use saying ‘we are better than you, go away’. It’s a family thing.”

Mauger agreed that despite his views, he would not “put his oar in” with Venues Ōtautahi.

“It’s up to the people who know the best for it [the stadium].”

Venues Ōtautahi is owned by Christchurch City Council and already runs venues including the Christchurch Town Hall, Hagley Oval and Wolfbrook Arena.

Chief executive at Venues Ōtautahi, Caroline Harvie-Teare, says Christchurch needs to make hay while the sun shines.

But Harvie-Teare said they had not held any discussions with their Dunedin counterparts.

“I will say to them we may possibly want to collaborate on some of those nationwide items, in terms of labour force et cetera.

“But naturally we will compete for contracts. The reality is, the artists won’t go to Dunedin and Christchurch.

Action in a Super Rugby Pacific match at Forsyth Barr Stadium in May 2024.

“If they have a choice, it will be Christchurch. We will have the most premium stadium in the country, and it’s a genuine multi-use stadium.

“That’s just the reality for Dunedin.“

Harvie-Teare said One New Zealand stadium would be a state-of-the-art venue with wonderful acoustics far superior to those at Forsyth Barr.

Christchurch’s international airport with long runways means gear can be flown in directly, while large concerts sets and rigging must be trucked to Dunedin from Christchurch, she said. As well, Dunedin has far less visitor accommodation.

Artists and sporting groups would have a better option after 12 years of Christchurch being without a major stadium, Harvie-Teare said.

In the past two years Forsyth Barr has hosted concerts by artists including Pink, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rod Stewart and Six60, as well as All Black tests against England and Australia.

Work under way on One New Zealand Te Kaha stadium this week.

Both stadiums can seat a 30,000-strong crowd, and accommodate 36,000 concert-goers.

Stuart Clumpas, co-owner of entertainment promotion company Live Nation NZ, said Christchurch would definitely have the edge over Dunedin.

“Christchurch is a much bigger city, so that’s the major pivot, no matter what.”

ChristchurchNZ, the city’s economic development agency, has an annual slush fund from the city council to help attract major events to the region.

ChristchurchNZ’s head of major events, Karena Finnie, said they do work collaboratively on some events, such as hosting teams for the recent Women’s World Football Cup.

Finnie said they “steer away from aggressive bidding, especially against other New Zealand cities”.

The Government has contributed $220m to the cost of building One New Zealand stadium. Funding the project over 30 years will cost ratepayers an average of $2.75 a week each.

This week the stadium, also known as Te Kaha, reached a construction milestone as the heaviest roof pieces yet, each weighing 160 tonnes, were lifted into position.