Auckland Council is facing mounting pressure to purchase the historic Avondale Racecourse, with community leaders and the local board urging the city to seize a ‘once-in-a-generation’ opportunity to preserve vital green space in the rapidly developing inner-west.
After 138 years, horse racing is set to conclude at the venue this July. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) is consolidating its Auckland operations at Ellerslie and Pukekohe, leaving the 35-hectare Avondale site’s future uncertain. The land is currently owned by the Avondale Jockey Club, which has previously sought to have the site rezoned for high-density housing, including apartment buildings and terrace homes.
The potential sale has sparked significant concern among residents and local businesses who fear the loss of a critical community asset. The racecourse grounds are not only a sporting venue but also a beloved community hub, hosting sports like rugby, football, and cricket on its inner fields, which are leased to the council. Furthermore, the site is home to the Avondale Markets, a sprawling and popular fixture that has drawn thousands of visitors every Sunday since the 1970s.
A unanimous call to action
The campaign to secure the land for public use intensified on March 25 when the Whau Local Board unanimously passed a notice of motion calling for Auckland Council’s governing body to purchase the entire site. The board framed the acquisition as an essential move to “future-proof open space requirements” for west Auckland, which has seen considerable population growth and housing intensification.
In its motion, the board implored the governing body to allocate funding in the next annual budget for the purchase, which has a capital value of almost $80 million. It stressed that the racecourse plays a “critical” role in Auckland’s sports field network and urged council staff to immediately begin discussions with both the Avondale Jockey Club and NZTR.
The area has experienced a building boom in recent years, with numerous apartment complexes changing the face of the suburb. This rapid urbanisation makes the preservation of large green spaces more important than ever, not just for recreation but for community well-being and environmental balance. The potential loss of the racecourse land to private developers is seen by many as a significant blow to the area's future liveability, a concern that echoes across a city whose skyline is constantly transforming, and a city like Mandurah which unveiled a month-long Christmas festival for 2026.
Business leaders champion public ownership
The local board’s position has found a strong ally in the Avondale Business Association. Chairman Marcus Amosa described the potential purchase not as an expense, but as a critical "investment in economic resilience" for the town centre. He said the association "strongly supports" the notice of motion to protect the site.
High-quality open space is not a nice-to-have, it is core infrastructure that underpins a functioning, attractive and economically active town centre. Securing it in public ownership provides certainty and opens the door for integrated planning that aligns open space, housing growth and town centre development in a coordinated way.
Mr Amosa emphasised that the racecourse is already a "significant multi-use asset" that brings people into the area for sports and the popular markets. Public ownership, he argued, would allow for a coordinated development strategy, ensuring that new housing and local commerce can grow alongside accessible recreational facilities. The situation highlights the delicate balance between development and maintaining local character, an issue faced by businesses in other regions, such as those in Lower Hutt that have struggled during major roadworks.
An issue of governance and planning
While Auckland Council's official statement noted it “wouldn’t be appropriate” to comment before the governing body formally considers the motion, Mayor Wayne Brown has signalled an openness to the idea. “We will have a discussion about this and I've been approached by a number of people, about a number of options, but we are interested in preserving some green space,” Mr Brown told Stuff. However, he cautioned that any potential purchase was still “a long way down the track,” pending clarity from the racing industry.
The debate over the racecourse comes as Auckland Council’s broader governance capabilities are under scrutiny. A recent report from Auditor-General John Ryan, while separate from this issue, urged the council to improve its strategic planning and emergency response frameworks. The report recommended updating its overdue Civil Defence and Emergency Management Group Plan and engaging more effectively with communities to set "realistic and achievable goals."
Although focused on emergency preparedness, the Auditor-General’s findings underscore the importance of robust, forward-thinking governance, a principle that is directly applicable to the racecourse situation. The call to preserve a major public asset aligns with the need for strategic decisions that benefit the community long-term. Protecting public spaces like the racecourse and providing other essential services, such as programmes to move rough sleepers into stable housing, are part of the council’s core responsibilities in managing a growing city.
Uncertainty remains as negotiations continue
Both NZTR and the Avondale Jockey Club have remained tight-lipped about the specifics of the land’s future. An NZTR spokesperson confirmed they are in “good faith negotiations” with the jockey club and offered no further comment. They have previously stated that no firm decisions have been made regarding the future of the markets or green spaces on the site.
The Avondale Jockey Club, for its part, has established a new committee to engage with members and stakeholders. Club president Andrew Skinner said the discussions have been "positive and robust," and that details about the outcomes would be released in due course. The club has previously acknowledged community concerns and expressed support for retaining some of the land for sports and recreation, providing a glimmer of hope for those campaigning for its preservation.
As Avondale continues to grow, the fate of its largest open space hangs in the balance. The community has made its voice heard, framing the decision as a pivotal moment for the future of west Auckland. With the governing body yet to debate the motion, residents, sports clubs, and market vendors can only wait to see if the council will secure the historic site or if it will be lost to development forever. Mayor Brown has confirmed a discussion will take place, ensuring the issue will be on the council's agenda.
