November 4, 2025 • 10 mins
The events calendar at Auckland's Eden Park could soon be a lot busier.
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has asked Auckland Council for feedback on a proposal to increase the number of concerts it hosts from 12 to 32 a year.
It's recommending the venue should be allowed to host up to 12 large concerts of more than 30 thousand attendees.
Eden Park CEO Nick Sautner told Kerre Woodham they’ve been hamstrung by so many regulations, and this is about simplifying and modernising the rules so the national stadium can be utilised.
In the last five years, he says they’ve invested $45 million into the stadium and redefined their business model, so they need to be able to continue evolving.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Kerrywood and Morning's podcast from News Talks,
he'd be.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Government investigation has found that restrictions on Eden Park's operations
will cost the Auckland region at least to four hundred
and thirty two million in lost in come over the
next ten years, and this changes are made. RMA reform
Minister Chris Bishop has asked looking Council for feedback on
a proposal to increase the number of concerts eden Park
hosts from twelve to thirty two a year. It's recommending
(00:36):
the venue should be allowed to host up to twelve
large concerts of more than thirty thousand attendees and as
for more flexibility on timing, including permitting concerts of up
to eight hours duration. Eden Park CEO Nick Saughtoner joins
me now and a very good morning to you.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
Good morning, and what a beautiful day in our great city,
and what a beautiful announcement we had this morning from
first Bishop.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
How many free tickets to the corporate suite did you
have to offer Chris Bishop to get this kind of
legislation through.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
Well, he hasn't actually been to our suite meting out,
so it should definitely come along experience. Maybe the cricket
tonight it starts at seven point fifteen.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Well, what is that? I mean you knew this. I
mean you've been champion at the bit to be able
to host more people, more events and not just concerts.
Is it like I couldn't believe that you weren't able
to host conferences when we were so hampered by the
lack of a decent conference facility.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
That's right, We've been hamstrung by so many regulations and
this is about simplifying and modernizing the rules around Eden
Park to utilize our national stadium, but also maintaining the
safeguards around working with our neighborhood. But it's acknowledged that
we're missing out on opportunities and this is about economic development.
It's about opportunity for employment. It's like a hotel that
(01:58):
is required to get a consent to have someone potentially
stay on a Sunday night in their facility. To break
down these barriers, we've invested over forty five million in
our National Stadium over the last five years. We've redefined
our business model. Seventy percented today's revenues weren't part of
our business model five years ago. And so we need
(02:20):
to continue to evolve and we're delighted with the announcement today.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
What will you be able to do should this come
into effect, because at the moment it's a proposal and
a recommendation.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Well, part of it relates to just having the flexibility
to have conversations and so at the moment, we have
restrictions on whether it be the number of concerts in
a month, the number of artists performing in a year,
the nights that can be performed at oh give an example,
last Sunday we had the sellout fixture one of the
most memorable events I've been involved in, the Keywears versus Tima.
(02:56):
We had to apply for consent to hold that event
on a Sunday night and it's costly, but it's time consuming,
and so we need to be in a situation where
we have the ability to be a multi purpose hybrid
stadium that we are a global brand. Artists and sports
teams want to play at our national stadium, but we
have too many restrictions. And as I say, we welcome
(03:18):
the opportunity to explore music festivals at Eden Park. There's
a whole range of activities that currently can't be discussed
because of the parameters we operate underown we have over
ninety per cent of support from our community. Let's be
very clear, Eden Park is never going to have an
event every day, but what we want to be able
to do is been a situation where we can approach
(03:42):
promoters who take significant risks to bring artists to New
Zealand and have that opportunity to showcase both local and
international on any day of the week.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
What have we missed out on because of these old
fashioned rules.
Speaker 3 (03:59):
Well, part of the conversation is around saying, how do
we ensure that we maximize our VM calendar and have
that flexibility for hiers to increase the desire to explore
Eden Park as their venue, and that might include the Warriors.
There's no reason why we couldn't get the Broncos versus
(04:21):
the Warriors of Eden Park. If it sells out at
Mount Smart, bring it across to Eden Park and get
an extra twenty thousand people. Well, currently, under our restrictions,
if we've had one or two events over a week,
then we wouldn't be able to have that conversation. So
this is not just abounds music, this is also around sport.
The definition currently for Eden Park, whether at a day
(04:43):
or night event depends on what time the sun sets
now surprise, surprise, in winter the sun rises and falls
at a different time during summer, So the categor categorization
differs and the availability of content differs.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
That seems absolutely bizarre that what you can put on
as defined by us dial.
Speaker 3 (05:07):
This is the challenges we've faced and when we look
at that technology. Yeah, so this is we could go
through the barriers and I think people will be staggered.
We're going to have a CRL on our doorsteps seven
minutes to town. It's going to be a game changer. One
other example is the lighting. So a lighting previously was halogen,
(05:29):
so take fifteen minutes to turn on and off. Now
with LED lighting, they switch off immediately. Our external lighting
that lights up for Anzac Day or for special celebrations
is restricted to twenty five times a year now. It
has no impost. All it does is promote our great
city and showcase the charity that we might be Red
(05:53):
Nose Day. We write up the exterior to be read. Now,
there are a number of other barriers that Eden Park
currently operate under that under this investigation will be addressed
and we welcome the opportunity engage with our community. This
morning I spoke with our Residents Association. They have a
significant data base, but also we communicate with the hood
(06:16):
our Dable Food Supporters Club. Over fifteen hundred houses, twelve
schools and three hundred and fifty businesses all are members
of the hood and they engage with us on a
weekly basis.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
Well, I mean, you're certainly doing your best to get
by in because it is only going to work as
the majority of the neighborhood welcome visitors to it.
Speaker 3 (06:38):
That's right, and we think we're a great resident. Last
week with Halloween, our playground, one hundred thousand dollars facility
that is external to Eden Park became the Haunt and Fortress.
We gave out lollies and did trickle treating. Now I
live in a bayside suburb and we don't have those
opportunities in our community. So we think we're a great
(06:58):
community support. We know that we bring over a million
people to this wonderful area Kingland Road, Mount Eden Morningside.
These businesses all thrive on the back of Eden Park
and many of the residents have moved to this area
because of the atmosphere, the number of messages I got
over the weekend and on Monday from residents to say
(07:20):
it was the loudest cheer we have ever heard. And
for those who experienced the tong and community on the weekend,
we had no issues. It was a wonderful event and
to see the color and the diversity of content, but
also the pacifica community embracing our national stadium is something
that we want to be doing more regularly. It's great
(07:42):
for the city, it's great for employment, and it's great
for the economy.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
It's why Tonga was such a great country to play
in the opening game of the Rugby World Cup when
it was hosted ded Eden Park, they were fantastic.
Speaker 3 (07:54):
Well, it's actually a great point. How many people one
of their most special memory, whether it be a farm
with a farno or with their friends as at Eden Park,
whether it be from sport or entertainment. For me, when
you look at the fief for Women's World Cup or
the Rugby World Cup final six point sixty performing their
first ever concert, Old Play three sold out shows, these
(08:16):
moments people create and remember. But also I can't reiterate
more the economic benefit for the city, for the country
that our National stadium producers and our sixty five thousand
capacity is we are the only game in town for
many of these artists when they're considering coming to New Zealand.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
I do have a text to saying, could you ask
the speller his name is Nick Swaughtner, if this legislation
would have allowed artists like Taylor Swift to perform or
was that the artist not being interested?
Speaker 3 (08:46):
Well, I'm delighted with the government investing in the event fund.
The seventy million will attract major events back to New Zealand.
It will take time, it doesn't happen over nine. I'm
going to assure you we did go out and try
and secure the likes of Lady Gaga, Oasis, ac DC,
and we will. We are. We had certainly proactive in
(09:09):
our approach to a number of artists that are looking
to tour at the back end of twenty six and
early in twenty seven. So it's a combination. It's changing
the barriers and constraints that we currently operate under that
are clearly outdated. People go to a supermarketing Dominion Road
till eleven o'clock, seven days a week, yet our stadium
(09:30):
has been restricted due to these outdays laws. The world
has moved on and we want to ensure that our
venue can be here for another one hundred and twenty
five years.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
There's probably more people coming to Eden Parkman to the
local superret though well.
Speaker 3 (09:46):
Sadly when you look at some of our fixtures, you
might be incorrect in saying that.
Speaker 2 (09:52):
We'll work on that. Okay, now, I think you know.
I can only see it as good news too. I'm
with you, Nick, and having lived near to a public
facility like the speedway, when it's managed well and you've
got good neighbors as the speed Way were, there are
no problems living close by, none whatsoever.
Speaker 1 (10:10):
For more from carry Wood and Mornings, listen live to
news Talks at b from nine am weekdays, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Kerrywood and Morning's podcast from News Talks,
he'd be.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Government investigation has found that restrictions on Eden Park's operations
will cost the Auckland region at least to four hundred
and thirty two million in lost in come over the
next ten years, and this changes are made. RMA reform
Minister Chris Bishop has asked looking Council for feedback on
a proposal to increase the number of concerts eden Park
hosts from twelve to thirty two a year. It's recommending
(00:36):
the venue should be allowed to host up to twelve
large concerts of more than thirty thousand attendees and as
for more flexibility on timing, including permitting concerts of up
to eight hours duration. Eden Park CEO Nick Saughtoner joins
me now and a very good morning to you.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
Good morning, and what a beautiful day in our great city,
and what a beautiful announcement we had this morning from
first Bishop.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
How many free tickets to the corporate suite did you
have to offer Chris Bishop to get this kind of
legislation through.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
Well, he hasn't actually been to our suite meting out,
so it should definitely come along experience. Maybe the cricket
tonight it starts at seven point fifteen.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Well, what is that? I mean you knew this. I
mean you've been champion at the bit to be able
to host more people, more events and not just concerts.
Is it like I couldn't believe that you weren't able
to host conferences when we were so hampered by the
lack of a decent conference facility.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
That's right, We've been hamstrung by so many regulations and
this is about simplifying and modernizing the rules around Eden
Park to utilize our national stadium, but also maintaining the
safeguards around working with our neighborhood. But it's acknowledged that
we're missing out on opportunities and this is about economic development.
It's about opportunity for employment. It's like a hotel that
(01:58):
is required to get a consent to have someone potentially
stay on a Sunday night in their facility. To break
down these barriers, we've invested over forty five million in
our National Stadium over the last five years. We've redefined
our business model. Seventy percented today's revenues weren't part of
our business model five years ago. And so we need
(02:20):
to continue to evolve and we're delighted with the announcement today.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
What will you be able to do should this come
into effect, because at the moment it's a proposal and
a recommendation.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Well, part of it relates to just having the flexibility
to have conversations and so at the moment, we have
restrictions on whether it be the number of concerts in
a month, the number of artists performing in a year,
the nights that can be performed at oh give an example,
last Sunday we had the sellout fixture one of the
most memorable events I've been involved in, the Keywears versus Tima.
(02:56):
We had to apply for consent to hold that event
on a Sunday night and it's costly, but it's time consuming,
and so we need to be in a situation where
we have the ability to be a multi purpose hybrid
stadium that we are a global brand. Artists and sports
teams want to play at our national stadium, but we
have too many restrictions. And as I say, we welcome
(03:18):
the opportunity to explore music festivals at Eden Park. There's
a whole range of activities that currently can't be discussed
because of the parameters we operate underown we have over
ninety per cent of support from our community. Let's be
very clear, Eden Park is never going to have an
event every day, but what we want to be able
to do is been a situation where we can approach
(03:42):
promoters who take significant risks to bring artists to New
Zealand and have that opportunity to showcase both local and
international on any day of the week.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
What have we missed out on because of these old
fashioned rules.
Speaker 3 (03:59):
Well, part of the conversation is around saying, how do
we ensure that we maximize our VM calendar and have
that flexibility for hiers to increase the desire to explore
Eden Park as their venue, and that might include the Warriors.
There's no reason why we couldn't get the Broncos versus
(04:21):
the Warriors of Eden Park. If it sells out at
Mount Smart, bring it across to Eden Park and get
an extra twenty thousand people. Well, currently, under our restrictions,
if we've had one or two events over a week,
then we wouldn't be able to have that conversation. So
this is not just abounds music, this is also around sport.
The definition currently for Eden Park, whether at a day
(04:43):
or night event depends on what time the sun sets
now surprise, surprise, in winter the sun rises and falls
at a different time during summer, So the categor categorization
differs and the availability of content differs.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
That seems absolutely bizarre that what you can put on
as defined by us dial.
Speaker 3 (05:07):
This is the challenges we've faced and when we look
at that technology. Yeah, so this is we could go
through the barriers and I think people will be staggered.
We're going to have a CRL on our doorsteps seven
minutes to town. It's going to be a game changer. One
other example is the lighting. So a lighting previously was halogen,
(05:29):
so take fifteen minutes to turn on and off. Now
with LED lighting, they switch off immediately. Our external lighting
that lights up for Anzac Day or for special celebrations
is restricted to twenty five times a year now. It
has no impost. All it does is promote our great
city and showcase the charity that we might be Red
(05:53):
Nose Day. We write up the exterior to be read. Now,
there are a number of other barriers that Eden Park
currently operate under that under this investigation will be addressed
and we welcome the opportunity engage with our community. This
morning I spoke with our Residents Association. They have a
significant data base, but also we communicate with the hood
(06:16):
our Dable Food Supporters Club. Over fifteen hundred houses, twelve
schools and three hundred and fifty businesses all are members
of the hood and they engage with us on a
weekly basis.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
Well, I mean, you're certainly doing your best to get
by in because it is only going to work as
the majority of the neighborhood welcome visitors to it.
Speaker 3 (06:38):
That's right, and we think we're a great resident. Last
week with Halloween, our playground, one hundred thousand dollars facility
that is external to Eden Park became the Haunt and Fortress.
We gave out lollies and did trickle treating. Now I
live in a bayside suburb and we don't have those
opportunities in our community. So we think we're a great
(06:58):
community support. We know that we bring over a million
people to this wonderful area Kingland Road, Mount Eden Morningside.
These businesses all thrive on the back of Eden Park
and many of the residents have moved to this area
because of the atmosphere, the number of messages I got
over the weekend and on Monday from residents to say
(07:20):
it was the loudest cheer we have ever heard. And
for those who experienced the tong and community on the weekend,
we had no issues. It was a wonderful event and
to see the color and the diversity of content, but
also the pacifica community embracing our national stadium is something
that we want to be doing more regularly. It's great
(07:42):
for the city, it's great for employment, and it's great
for the economy.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
It's why Tonga was such a great country to play
in the opening game of the Rugby World Cup when
it was hosted ded Eden Park, they were fantastic.
Speaker 3 (07:54):
Well, it's actually a great point. How many people one
of their most special memory, whether it be a farm
with a farno or with their friends as at Eden Park,
whether it be from sport or entertainment. For me, when
you look at the fief for Women's World Cup or
the Rugby World Cup final six point sixty performing their
first ever concert, Old Play three sold out shows, these
(08:16):
moments people create and remember. But also I can't reiterate
more the economic benefit for the city, for the country
that our National stadium producers and our sixty five thousand
capacity is we are the only game in town for
many of these artists when they're considering coming to New Zealand.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
I do have a text to saying, could you ask
the speller his name is Nick Swaughtner, if this legislation
would have allowed artists like Taylor Swift to perform or
was that the artist not being interested?
Speaker 3 (08:46):
Well, I'm delighted with the government investing in the event fund.
The seventy million will attract major events back to New Zealand.
It will take time, it doesn't happen over nine. I'm
going to assure you we did go out and try
and secure the likes of Lady Gaga, Oasis, ac DC,
and we will. We are. We had certainly proactive in
(09:09):
our approach to a number of artists that are looking
to tour at the back end of twenty six and
early in twenty seven. So it's a combination. It's changing
the barriers and constraints that we currently operate under that
are clearly outdated. People go to a supermarketing Dominion Road
till eleven o'clock, seven days a week, yet our stadium
(09:30):
has been restricted due to these outdays laws. The world
has moved on and we want to ensure that our
venue can be here for another one hundred and twenty
five years.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
There's probably more people coming to Eden Parkman to the
local superret though well.
Speaker 3 (09:46):
Sadly when you look at some of our fixtures, you
might be incorrect in saying that.
Speaker 2 (09:52):
We'll work on that. Okay, now, I think you know.
I can only see it as good news too. I'm
with you, Nick, and having lived near to a public
facility like the speedway, when it's managed well and you've
got good neighbors as the speed Way were, there are
no problems living close by, none whatsoever.
Speaker 1 (10:10):
For more from carry Wood and Mornings, listen live to
news Talks at b from nine am weekdays, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
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