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Aucklanders are invited to provide feedback to help shape the future use of Western Springs Stadium.
This public consultation, led by Auckland Council and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, is open for feedback, from today until 15 June 2025. It follows direction from the council’s Governing Body on 1 May 2025 to seek public feedback before making a decision on the stadium’s long-term use.
There are three options outlined in the consultation document that the council seeks feedback on. These are either Auckland Arena, Western Springs Bowl, or an option that ranges from keeping things as they are to suggesting something different for the future of the stadium.
Max Hardy, Auckland Council’s Director of Group Strategy and Chief Executive’s Office, encourages the community to say how they’d prefer to see the outer fields and stadium used at Western Springs.
“Western Springs has a rich and layered history – from the time when tuna, that’s eels, were fished in the springs, to its use as a vital water reservoir for the city, and later a stadium for speedway, sport, and iconic concerts. Now’s the time to tell us what you’d like to see here in the future” says Mr Hardy.
Nick Hill, Chief Executive of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU), also looks forward to seeing where the community support lies for this important and underused venue in Auckland’s stadium network.
“Western Springs Stadium is a special place with huge potential to evolve and meet the needs of our vibrant city and region. TAU ran an expression of interest process that resulted in two strong options, and we look forward to hearing what Aucklanders want to see happen to the site,” says Mr Hill.
The three options identified for public consideration are:
Option 1: Auckland Arena – A bespoke 12,500–15,000 capacity stadium with high-performance facilities and outer fields. Community use would include indoor basketball and padel courts. Proposed commercial activity includes hospitality options and a health centre.
Option 2: Western Springs Bowl – A permanent music and festival venue with a capacity of 50,000, using the natural amphitheatre and installing new permanent staging infrastructure. A 5,000 – 8,000 seated boutique stadium and community sport facility with clubrooms, a corporate hospitality venue and gym. This option would remain a community sports facility and the home of Ponsonby Rugby Club.
Option 3: neither option 1 or 2; instead keep things as they are or explore other ideas – Existing arrangements could be kept. Tātaki Auckland Unlimited would manage and operate the venue for concerts and festivals and the Ponsonby Rugby Club lease could be extended. Alternative options for the venue could be explored.
There are a number of ways to have your say. These include completing the online feedback form and attending Have Your Say Events for regional organisations and interest groups.
There will also be online information session on the evening of 27 May, where you can find out more about the options and ask questions.
This consultation follows an expression of interest process carried out by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, which owns and operates Western Springs Stadium with funding from Auckland Council. Two redevelopment proposals emerged through that process, with the addition of the third option of keeping things as they are or exploring other ideas.
Public feedback will help inform a decision on the future of Western Springs Stadium.
Feedback on the Western Springs Stadium consultation closes at 11.59pm on Sunday 15 June 2025.
For more information, go to AK Have Your Say