Auckland councillors have voted to consult the public on two proposals for the future use of Western Springs Stadium. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
After a fiery debate today, which saw Mayor Wayne Brown briefly walk out, Auckland councillors have voted 14-7 to consult the public on two proposals for the future use of Western Springs Stadium.
There is also a third option: the council can choose to do nothing or explore other ideas for the stadium, including extending Ponsonby Rugby Club's lease, which expires in 2027.
Until now, the stadium had been primarily used for rugby union matches and speedway racing.
Last year, the council made the controversial decision to move speedway to Onehunga's Waikaraka Park after 100 years at Western Springs.
The council's economic and cultural agency, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, said its preference was for the venue to become a permanent home for Auckland Football Club, which would be called Auckland Stadium.
Auckland FC owners, including billionaire Anna Mowbray and her former All Black husband Ali Williams, have proposed investing $300 million into re-developing the stadium into a 12,500-seat sports and entertainment precinct with a capacity of 25,000 for concerts.
Auckland FC games are currently held at Go Media Stadium in Penrose.
A competing proposal from CRS Records and Eccles Entertainment; the Western Springs Bowl, would see the venue be a 5000-8000-seat boutique stadium and be able to host up to 50,000 people for festivals.
Under this proposal, Western Springs would remain home for Ponsonby Rugby Club and other clubs that currently use it.
It would be funded by a mix of private and ratepayer funding.
Councillors Mike Lee, Greg Sayers, Sharon Stewart, Ken Turner, Wayne Walker, John Watson, and Maurice Williamson voted not to support the options going out for public consultation.
Several councillors questioned why continuing speedway at the stadium would not be presented to the public as an option.
Tātaki has said the public could suggest other options for the stadium through its consultation process, but speedway was not recommended, with work at Waikaraka already underway.
"Western Springs has served as an important venue for sports, large-scale outdoor festivals and concerts," group strategy director Max Hardy said.
"Through this process, we are seeking Aucklanders' views on the future opportunities for the site, and how it could continue to contribute to the city's sports, entertainment and community life."
Public consultation on the proposals was expected to run from 19 May to 15 June 2025 and a final decision from council due in July.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
