Auckland Council has given the green light to a new vision for Western Springs Stadium, approving a proposal to create a dedicated concert venue inspired by the famous Hollywood Bowl. The decision, made by a majority vote of 15 to six on Tuesday, marks a pivotal moment after years of uncertainty surrounding the future of the iconic Auckland site.
The approved concept, dubbed the 'Western Springs Bowl', was spearheaded by veteran concert promoter Brent Eccles. It aims to transform the natural amphitheatre into a world-class outdoor venue for live music during summer, while continuing to host Ponsonby Rugby Club matches in winter. The plan will require an estimated $2.5 million in public funding for a permanent stage and other upgrades, to be sourced from the existing budget of the council's economic and cultural agency, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited.
Mr Eccles presented his vision to the council's governing body, emphasising the unique potential of the venue. He drew parallels with internationally renowned venues like the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles and Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Denver, which are celebrated for their natural settings.
A shared future with Ponsonby Rugby
The proposal solidifies the future for the Ponsonby Rugby Club, which had been facing uncertainty with its lease at Western Springs due to expire. The club will have its lease extended for five more years, with a two-year notice period for termination by the council. Speaking on behalf of the club, Peter Thorp expressed strong support for the multi-purpose plan.
Our inspiration is the Hollywood Bowl, to bring to life an existing Auckland asset, with its own place in the landscape of New Zealand concert venues. Western Springs is a rare asset for a major city. A large capacity, central, natural amphitheatre with flat grassed areas, concrete terraces, toilet facilities, and permanent ticket entry gates.
Mr Thorp said the proposal offered a chance to improve the stadium's infrastructure in a sustainable, community-focused manner. He highlighted the potential for better facilities, including more seating closer to the sideline for rugby matches. "When we saw the promoters' idea, we saw the opportunity to be able to do that in a sustainable way, in a community-led way that provides for other community users, and achieve what we believe is a better use of the stadium," he said. "That's pretty attractive to us."
This development comes as Auckland seeks to bolster its major events calendar and infrastructure, a move seen as crucial for the city's economic vitality, which has recently shown signs of struggle as highlighted in reports on Auckland's productivity crisis. A world-class music venue could attract major international artists who might otherwise skip New Zealand, providing a significant boost to tourism and local spending. For insight into how technology underpins such large-scale events, see why event tech is the backbone of festivals.
Speedway supporters vow to continue fight
The council's decision was met with dismay by a vocal contingent of speedway supporters. About 100 members of the Speedway Association, wearing 'Save Our Speedway' T-shirts, attended the tense meeting at Auckland's Town Hall to protest the outcome. Speedway racing has a century-long history at Western Springs, which was controversially ended by a council vote in 2024 to move the sport to Waikaraka Park in Onehunga.
Throughout the meeting, supporters booed council members who spoke in favour of the concert venue proposal. Tātaki Auckland Unlimited chair Vicki Salmon was jeered as she defended the recommendation, stating, "It's not going to suit everyone. But this is about what's best for Auckland, what's best for Western Springs."
The Speedway Association's lawyer, Bronwyn Carruthers KC, argued that the council had not properly considered their alternative proposal, which she claimed was a "superior option" accommodating speedway, concerts, and community sports. The association believes their plan would provide a more inclusive use for the ratepayer-funded asset.
Flawed consultation process alleged
The decision followed a contentious consultation process that some councillors argued was fundamentally flawed. Councillor John Gillon was among six who voted against the Bowl proposal. He argued that the public consultation in 2025 did not offer a clear option to retain speedway, which he said skewed the results.
"Consultation was undertaken without a clear option to include speedway, despite it being a significant and well-supported activity at the stadium for the last 96 years," Mr Gillon said. He pointed out that options which could be interpreted as supporting speedway collectively received 49% of responses, with 30% of all submissions explicitly mentioning speedway.
Mr Gillon proposed a new round of public consultation with two clear choices: the Western Springs Bowl or the Speedway Association's multi-use proposal. His amendment was voted down 15 to six. The decision was further complicated when a previously preferred option for a football and concert venue, funded by the private owners of Auckland Football Club, was withdrawn, forcing councillors to reconsider their choices and delaying a final resolution until this week.
The decision to proceed comes despite an impending legal challenge from the Speedway Association. The association is taking the council to the High Court for a judicial review of the decision to end speedway at the venue, with a hearing expected in July. This ongoing legal action casts a shadow over the project's next steps and signals that the battle for Western Springs is not yet over.
