Auckland Council

Rugby stadiums are sold as an economic asset – but NZ needs to ask if they’re really worth it

Retrieved on: 
Friday, April 19, 2024
Auckland Council, Rugby union, Sheeran, City, Otago Rugby Football Union, Foot, Local government, Entertainment

But is a new stadium really value for money for Auckland ratepayers?

Key Points: 
  • But is a new stadium really value for money for Auckland ratepayers?
  • Large stadiums are sold as an economic boon for cities.
  • These stadiums are often opposed by sections of the communities asked to pay for them.

For the love of the game

  • When the game was still amateur, it was expected to build and maintain its own stadiums.
  • For example, Carisbrook in Dunedin was initially built by the Otago Rugby Football Union, while Eden Park was built by various Auckland sports associations.
  • Taxpayers and ratepayers started paying significant amounts for construction of rugby and “multi-use” stadiums.
  • Ed Sheeran cited the shape of the stadium – rectangular rather than oval – as a reason for skipping the city on his 2023 world tour.

Costs and benefits

  • Whether it is there from the outset or creeps in later, the case for funding from the community is usually based on “economic impact analysis”.
  • This figure is then increased via what is known as an “economic impact multiplier” to create a topline figure in support of the stadiums.
  • And events may have been held in the community at existing venues before the new stadium was built.

Borrowing and interest costs

  • Te Kaha, which cost NZ$683 million to build, was promoted as having an annual $50 million positive economic for the region once it opened.
  • But at the same time, Christchurch ratepayers are expected to pay the majority of the construction costs ($453m), while the crown invested $220m.
  • A significant part of the council investment was borrowed, meaning ratepayers will also be paying for the interest on this debt.


Robert Hamlin does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Natural hazards, a warming climate and new resource laws – why NZ needs geoscientists more than ever

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 29, 2023
Auckland Council, Technology, Quartz, Plastic, Mineral, Atmosphere, Spatial, Solution, Software, NGS, University, Congo, RMA, Government, Natural Resources, Resource Management Act 1991, Nature, EQC, Climate change, Democratic republic, Soil, Resource management, Mining, Groundwater, Compliance, Biophysical environment, Climate, Weather, Tantalum, Tin, Beryllium, Legislation, Natural and Built Environment Bill, Management, Renewable energy, Professional services, Civil engineering, Tunnel, Risk management

Earth scientists and technical staff are in scope for potential job losses at New Zealand universities as part of a wider cost-cutting exercise.

Key Points: 
  • Earth scientists and technical staff are in scope for potential job losses at New Zealand universities as part of a wider cost-cutting exercise.
  • We need geoscientists more than ever, and here are three big reasons why.

Construction demand

    • We are either building new houses and infrastructure or rebuilding damaged houses and infrastructure following natural hazard events.
    • Read more:
      Slow train coming: only a genuine shift to rail will put NZ on track to reduce emissions

      A prerequisite for any new construction is a ground investigation to understand the subsurface.

Geohazards and climate

    • New Zealand straddles a convergent plate boundary and is surrounded by mid-latitude oceans creating a humid climate.
    • When a construction site, house, road, rail line or water pipeline is affected by natural hazards, we need geologists to respond.
    • Demand is high and rising for earth science and civil engineering graduates to deal with these large-scale environmental management issues.

Critical minerals

    • In New Zealand, we tend to conveniently ignore the minerals that facilitate our everyday existence.
    • Take the 14 different minerals (at least) used in a typical smartphone.
    • Read more:
      Critical minerals are vital for renewable energy.
    • The extraction of some of our own minerals with targeted precision mining is surely more appropriate, especially given the uncertainty of global supply chains.

Environmental management legislation

    • An additional demand for geoscience graduates will emerge with the reform of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA), the main law that determines how people interact with New Zealand’s natural resources.
    • It sets out the rules about air, soil, freshwater and coastal and marine areas, as well as regulating land use and the allocation of scarce resources.
    • The Natural and Built Environment Bill and the Spatial Planning Bill have both passed their third readings in parliament this month.
    • Much of the above creates domestic demands for geoscience graduates in environmental management and geotechnical sectors.

New Zealand Elevator and Escalator Market Analysis/Forecast Report 2022-2028: Infrastructure in Key Economic Cities have Propelled the Market to New Heights - ResearchAndMarkets.com

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, December 29, 2022
Building Systems, Manufacturing, Other Manufacturing, Construction & Property, Engineering, SkyCity, Accident, Auckland Airport, Government, New Zealand International Convention Centre fire, Building code, Port, Amending the Height of Buildings Act of 1910, Artificial intelligence, City, Transport, COVID-19, International Building Code, Construction, USD, Built environment, Selwyn District, Karangahape railway station, Risk, Mackenzie District, Growth, DX, CRL, Hitachi, AI, Mitsubishi Electric, Maintenance, ThyssenKrupp, Fourth National Government of New Zealand, Skycity Entertainment Group, Steel, Fujitec, University, Green star, Carbon, Environment, Schindler, Auckland Council, University of Auckland, Renewable energy, Tunnel, Aotea, Commercial Bay, Otis

The "New Zealand Elevator and Escalator - Market Size and Growth Forecast 2022-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Key Points: 
  • The "New Zealand Elevator and Escalator - Market Size and Growth Forecast 2022-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.
  • Increasing demand for high-rise structures and the government's focus on infrastructure in key economic cities have propelled New Zealand's elevator and escalator market to new heights.
  • The key players in the New Zealand elevator and escalator market are KONE, Otis, Hyundai Elevator, TK Elevator, Mitsubishi Electric, Hitachi, Schindler, and Fujitec.
  • The top 4 prominent vendors, including TK Elevator, Otis, KONE, and Schindler, account for 31% of the market share in New Zealand.

New Zealand's leading port, Ports of Auckland, welcome the world's first full sized, electric tugboat

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 21, 2022
Hauraki, Water, Noise, Auckland Council, Safety, CEO, Ports of Auckland, Growth, Fault, CO2, Roman Catholic Diocese of Auckland, History, Smoke, New Zealanders, Harbor

Roger Gray, CEO of Ports of Auckland said, "Welcoming Sparky is an exciting day for us at the Ports of Auckland.

Key Points: 
  • Roger Gray, CEO of Ports of Auckland said, "Welcoming Sparky is an exciting day for us at the Ports of Auckland.
  • Her arrival marks a big step towards the ports' decarbonisation of operations and towards our long-term emissions reduction goals."
  • "Back in 2016 when we first pitched the idea for a fully electric tug, we were told we were dreaming.
  • "E-tugs are the future for ship handling and Ports of Auckland are proud to have led the way," says Gray.

Auckland Transport Selects Infor for Standards Compliance and Asset Optimisation to Deliver A Better Customer Experience

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Transport in Auckland, Regions of New Zealand, Public transport in Auckland, Auckland Council, Auckland Transport, Auckland Airport, Auckland

At the heart of the implementation is $19 billion worth of assets managed by AT across the Auckland Region.

Key Points: 
  • At the heart of the implementation is $19 billion worth of assets managed by AT across the Auckland Region.
  • "Auckland Transport is pleased to partner with Infor, which emerged the winner in a very comprehensive tender selection process," said Shane Ellison, chief executive officer, Auckland Transport.
  • "Infor and Auckland Transport share the same goals," said Helen Masters, senior vice president and general manager, Infor Asia Pacific and Japan.
  • Auckland Transportis responsible for all of Auckland Region's transport services (excluding state highways), from roads and footpaths, to cycling, parking and public transport.

Auckland Council Selects GTreasury to Manage Cash and Risk

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Professional services, Data management, Technology, Software, Finance, Regulatory compliance, Business process management, Auckland Council, GTreasury

Auckland Council, the local government council for the Auckland Region in New Zealand, has selected GTreasury to support its treasury management and accounting functions.

Key Points: 
  • Auckland Council, the local government council for the Auckland Region in New Zealand, has selected GTreasury to support its treasury management and accounting functions.
  • GTreasury is a digital TMS platform for integrated treasury management and risk management .
  • GTreasury will replace Auckland Councils manual-based processes with host-to-host bank connections , cash management capabilities, risk analytics and reporting tools, says Auckland Councils Treasury Reporting Manager Kelly Wilson.
  • Auckland Council is a great example of how governments are leveraging modern technology to service their constituents more efficiently, says Rob McGuinness, Director, Sales - APAC at GTreasury.