February 18, 2026 • 8 mins
Nathan Burdon looks at what it would mean for Rugby Park Stadium in Invercargill if it doesn't get money spent on its infrastructure.
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Speaker 1 (00:11):
Our residents spotting Gary. Nathan Brandon joins us once again
on the muster. Good afternoon, nath House things.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Yeah, very good mate yourself.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
Pretty good blue sky and g Town log. May it
continue and long may the blue sky continue over Rugby
Park Stadium, although there are clouds on the horizon.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Yes, some really important discussions to be had already, one
major one that was had at in Voicago City Council
during the week obviously, with the councilors voting to send
it to a long term plan discussion sometime next year
so the public will get their chance to voice their
(00:50):
opinion on whether in Vericagolan and Southland needs, deserves wants
to have a major outdoor stadium.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
Well, south and Rugby's talk they're talking about taking Stags
games to Frankdin for goodness sake, if whereas case scenario.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Yeah, I think Rex rex Caple was speaking sort of
firmly tongue in cheek.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
But was he He's probably right? Where else can we
hold rugby in Southland like that?
Speaker 2 (01:17):
Yeah? Well, I think you'd probably you'd go to the
Gore Showgrounds before you go to go to Franklin. When
you're surely.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
I'd like to think so, But then then you've got
to have the venue up to scratch for broadcast purposes,
says Frankton. He's just it's just clickbait.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
I think a little bit. I think it's it's a
it's a good it's a good thing to get the
discussion going. We definitely want people to be talking about this.
But uh, and but I guess the key thing is
to have that debate as informed as possible. So that
was interesting to see the counselors in the meeting asking
for a lot more information around what what you know,
(01:52):
what sort of model would be required in terms of
wherever that wherever a stadium was put there is to
be a stadium, and wherever that gets put to how
that can be made as sustainable as possible. And I
guess to share the cost of what it will cost
to bring the stadium up to scratch and then run it,
(02:13):
you know, I get it's only fair that that cost
is spread across all the people who do potentially use it.
Speaker 1 (02:20):
What's your gut feel about what's going to play out
around this?
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Look, my opinion is that as a province and as
a city, it's really important that we do have a
fit for purpose outdoor stadium. The other aspect of that is,
I feel like an investment only becomes a worthwhile investment
if you also put in enough money to activate it
and make sure that the space is used really well.
(02:47):
It would be very easily, very easy just to write
the big check and then say job done, walk away,
and then it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy in terms
of what everyone is concerned about, which is a you know,
a stadium that becomes a white elephant. So the other
probably major concern I would have is that, yes, we
(03:08):
do probably base this discussion very much around a rugby discussion,
and it can't be a rugby venue. You only have
to look at sort of some of the question marks
around the NPC. It was only like a season ago
or so a go that there were serious questions about
whether the NPC would even carry on in the format
(03:29):
that it's currently in. And you know, a lot of
a lot of talk goes into having a having a
setup that's suitable for broadcast as well. We were we
were talking about those broadcasters not even covering all MPC
games not that long ago. So whatever strategic discussion we
need to have needs to be very intentional and not
sort of based on just what the situation is now,
(03:52):
because that situation can change.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
So in for Cargo Council of Grant Dermody, he once
played for the Stags, he says, just not keen on
the direction of rugby. Is this just one man's opinion.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
It's I guess it's the opinion of a counselor. And
he won't be he won't be alone around the table
who will be thinking in the back of their mind
that that, you know, one of the one of the
reasons they've been voted in is to keep those rates
at a level that everybody and Invercargle can afford. And
if if the numbers are right, and the numbers that
were floated in that meeting were suggesting a four percent
(04:27):
rates increase solely based on the rugby park, with that
before you even talk about the other infrastructure work or
the other work that needs to be done around the city,
then how do they then deliver something that looks like
a five percent or you know, try and keep that
rates increased to a five or six percent margin almost impossible,
if not impossible. So I guess that's something that's floating
(04:49):
around the back of the heads at the same time.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
Happy and news of Highlanders. They've got the w over
those dastardly saved as last week. They're going for two
and a row against Kiwi size, but they've got the
Chiefs in Dunedin on set.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Yeah. I think you and I talked about this before
Super Rugby started this year that the one thing the
Highlanders needed to do or to you know, in terms
of proving themselves was starting to get those wins against
New Zealand teams. And they couldn't have done any better
than what was what was a very dramatic and fantastic
result over the champion Crusaders team at home. Can Miller
(05:25):
obviously slotting that slotting that winning goal? So can they
back up against the Chiefs? Chiefs are pretty pretty tidy outfit.
I think both teams will have learned quite a bit
about each other from what they saw from their respective
games in that first round, so I would I think
probably the smart money's potentially on the Chiefs. But see
the smart money was probably on the Crusaders last week too.
Speaker 1 (05:47):
The black Caps are into a Super eight end of
the Super eight round of a T twenty World Cup,
which is how to be two years to goodness sake.
But yeah, look they've got a disadvantage. They've got Sri Lanka,
England and Pakistan and they've grown and they're having to
move to Sri Lanka to play the games have been
based in into you all the other three teams have
been based in Sri lankas, so a bit of a
disadvantage they're regarding the spinning pictures.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
Yeah potentially, Yeah, something to adjust to in terms of
those grippier, more spinninger sort of pictures and larger grounds.
I don't think the New Zealand bowlers will will be
too concerned about that because see they've popped an absolute
flogging so far in their pool game. So the likes
of Jake d Uffe you'll be looking forward to getting
(06:30):
to some bigger grounds, I'm sure. But yeah, the first
job done. They've made it. They've made it out of
pool play and into the top eight and there's some
big names that haven't been able to do that. So
so that's a good result and who knows what they'll
be able to do from here.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
Well, the joke going around as Australia can still make
the finals, they've just got to be able to book tickets.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
Yeah yeah, so you know that's a shame that they're
not there, isn't it?
Speaker 1 (06:55):
But that's a great show.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah, who knows. I mean it's gonna
it's the Challengers MESSI facing one of the home nations
on their home tracks and the end of that's before
you even get to India. So yeah, the challenge is real.
Speaker 1 (07:12):
Can on you nath enjoy the weekend up the landers?
Speaker 2 (07:15):
Lovely thanks mate, laugh out.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
Loud with ag proud because life on the land can
be a laughing matter. Brought to us by sheer Well
Data working to help the livestock farmer. A taxi passenger
leaned forward in the seat, watching the city slow by
in streaks of neon and brake lights. He hesitated for
a moment, rehearsing a question, then reached out and gently
tapped the driver on the shoulder. The driver screened, not
(07:38):
a polite yelp or a grunt, a full volume, soul
evacuating screen that seemed to come from somewhere behind his ancestors.
He jerked the wheel, swearing of the next laye narrowly.
Mister bounced halfway off a sidepath, slammed the brakes. The
cabs scadded to a stop, just inches from a window,
close enough for both men to see their stun reflections.
Steering back for a second, everything was completely still, no engines,
(07:59):
no voices, just the soft ticking sound of the cooling engine,
and two men reconsidering every life choice around them. Finally,
the driver turned around slowly, his face pale, was chest
rising and falling. Look, Matie says, don't ever do that again.
You scared the living crap out of me. The passenger
wide eyed and shake and held up his hands apologetically.
I'm so sorry. I didn't realize a little tap with
skier that much. The driver nodded, taking another breath. Sorry,
(08:22):
he said, it's not really my fault. Today's my first
day as a cab driver. Before that, had been driving
at hers for twenty five years. Right, we'll leave it
there for the afternoon. I'm Andy Muer. This has been
the muster on hok and New he Thanks and Peter's Genetics,
the podcast and I Heeartradio going up very shortly. See
her tomorrow.
Our residents spotting Gary. Nathan Brandon joins us once again
on the muster. Good afternoon, nath House things.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Yeah, very good mate yourself.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
Pretty good blue sky and g Town log. May it
continue and long may the blue sky continue over Rugby
Park Stadium, although there are clouds on the horizon.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Yes, some really important discussions to be had already, one
major one that was had at in Voicago City Council
during the week obviously, with the councilors voting to send
it to a long term plan discussion sometime next year
so the public will get their chance to voice their
(00:50):
opinion on whether in Vericagolan and Southland needs, deserves wants
to have a major outdoor stadium.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
Well, south and Rugby's talk they're talking about taking Stags
games to Frankdin for goodness sake, if whereas case scenario.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Yeah, I think Rex rex Caple was speaking sort of
firmly tongue in cheek.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
But was he He's probably right? Where else can we
hold rugby in Southland like that?
Speaker 2 (01:17):
Yeah? Well, I think you'd probably you'd go to the
Gore Showgrounds before you go to go to Franklin. When
you're surely.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
I'd like to think so, But then then you've got
to have the venue up to scratch for broadcast purposes,
says Frankton. He's just it's just clickbait.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
I think a little bit. I think it's it's a
it's a good it's a good thing to get the
discussion going. We definitely want people to be talking about this.
But uh, and but I guess the key thing is
to have that debate as informed as possible. So that
was interesting to see the counselors in the meeting asking
for a lot more information around what what you know,
(01:52):
what sort of model would be required in terms of
wherever that wherever a stadium was put there is to
be a stadium, and wherever that gets put to how
that can be made as sustainable as possible. And I
guess to share the cost of what it will cost
to bring the stadium up to scratch and then run it,
(02:13):
you know, I get it's only fair that that cost
is spread across all the people who do potentially use it.
Speaker 1 (02:20):
What's your gut feel about what's going to play out
around this?
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Look, my opinion is that as a province and as
a city, it's really important that we do have a
fit for purpose outdoor stadium. The other aspect of that is,
I feel like an investment only becomes a worthwhile investment
if you also put in enough money to activate it
and make sure that the space is used really well.
(02:47):
It would be very easily, very easy just to write
the big check and then say job done, walk away,
and then it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy in terms
of what everyone is concerned about, which is a you know,
a stadium that becomes a white elephant. So the other
probably major concern I would have is that, yes, we
(03:08):
do probably base this discussion very much around a rugby discussion,
and it can't be a rugby venue. You only have
to look at sort of some of the question marks
around the NPC. It was only like a season ago
or so a go that there were serious questions about
whether the NPC would even carry on in the format
(03:29):
that it's currently in. And you know, a lot of
a lot of talk goes into having a having a
setup that's suitable for broadcast as well. We were we
were talking about those broadcasters not even covering all MPC
games not that long ago. So whatever strategic discussion we
need to have needs to be very intentional and not
sort of based on just what the situation is now,
(03:52):
because that situation can change.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
So in for Cargo Council of Grant Dermody, he once
played for the Stags, he says, just not keen on
the direction of rugby. Is this just one man's opinion.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
It's I guess it's the opinion of a counselor. And
he won't be he won't be alone around the table
who will be thinking in the back of their mind
that that, you know, one of the one of the
reasons they've been voted in is to keep those rates
at a level that everybody and Invercargle can afford. And
if if the numbers are right, and the numbers that
were floated in that meeting were suggesting a four percent
(04:27):
rates increase solely based on the rugby park, with that
before you even talk about the other infrastructure work or
the other work that needs to be done around the city,
then how do they then deliver something that looks like
a five percent or you know, try and keep that
rates increased to a five or six percent margin almost impossible,
if not impossible. So I guess that's something that's floating
(04:49):
around the back of the heads at the same time.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
Happy and news of Highlanders. They've got the w over
those dastardly saved as last week. They're going for two
and a row against Kiwi size, but they've got the
Chiefs in Dunedin on set.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Yeah. I think you and I talked about this before
Super Rugby started this year that the one thing the
Highlanders needed to do or to you know, in terms
of proving themselves was starting to get those wins against
New Zealand teams. And they couldn't have done any better
than what was what was a very dramatic and fantastic
result over the champion Crusaders team at home. Can Miller
(05:25):
obviously slotting that slotting that winning goal? So can they
back up against the Chiefs? Chiefs are pretty pretty tidy outfit.
I think both teams will have learned quite a bit
about each other from what they saw from their respective
games in that first round, so I would I think
probably the smart money's potentially on the Chiefs. But see
the smart money was probably on the Crusaders last week too.
Speaker 1 (05:47):
The black Caps are into a Super eight end of
the Super eight round of a T twenty World Cup,
which is how to be two years to goodness sake.
But yeah, look they've got a disadvantage. They've got Sri Lanka,
England and Pakistan and they've grown and they're having to
move to Sri Lanka to play the games have been
based in into you all the other three teams have
been based in Sri lankas, so a bit of a
disadvantage they're regarding the spinning pictures.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
Yeah potentially, Yeah, something to adjust to in terms of
those grippier, more spinninger sort of pictures and larger grounds.
I don't think the New Zealand bowlers will will be
too concerned about that because see they've popped an absolute
flogging so far in their pool game. So the likes
of Jake d Uffe you'll be looking forward to getting
(06:30):
to some bigger grounds, I'm sure. But yeah, the first
job done. They've made it. They've made it out of
pool play and into the top eight and there's some
big names that haven't been able to do that. So
so that's a good result and who knows what they'll
be able to do from here.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
Well, the joke going around as Australia can still make
the finals, they've just got to be able to book tickets.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
Yeah yeah, so you know that's a shame that they're
not there, isn't it?
Speaker 1 (06:55):
But that's a great show.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah, who knows. I mean it's gonna
it's the Challengers MESSI facing one of the home nations
on their home tracks and the end of that's before
you even get to India. So yeah, the challenge is real.
Speaker 1 (07:12):
Can on you nath enjoy the weekend up the landers?
Speaker 2 (07:15):
Lovely thanks mate, laugh out.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
Loud with ag proud because life on the land can
be a laughing matter. Brought to us by sheer Well
Data working to help the livestock farmer. A taxi passenger
leaned forward in the seat, watching the city slow by
in streaks of neon and brake lights. He hesitated for
a moment, rehearsing a question, then reached out and gently
tapped the driver on the shoulder. The driver screened, not
(07:38):
a polite yelp or a grunt, a full volume, soul
evacuating screen that seemed to come from somewhere behind his ancestors.
He jerked the wheel, swearing of the next laye narrowly.
Mister bounced halfway off a sidepath, slammed the brakes. The
cabs scadded to a stop, just inches from a window,
close enough for both men to see their stun reflections.
Steering back for a second, everything was completely still, no engines,
(07:59):
no voices, just the soft ticking sound of the cooling engine,
and two men reconsidering every life choice around them. Finally,
the driver turned around slowly, his face pale, was chest
rising and falling. Look, Matie says, don't ever do that again.
You scared the living crap out of me. The passenger
wide eyed and shake and held up his hands apologetically.
I'm so sorry. I didn't realize a little tap with
skier that much. The driver nodded, taking another breath. Sorry,
(08:22):
he said, it's not really my fault. Today's my first
day as a cab driver. Before that, had been driving
at hers for twenty five years. Right, we'll leave it
there for the afternoon. I'm Andy Muer. This has been
the muster on hok and New he Thanks and Peter's Genetics,
the podcast and I Heeartradio going up very shortly. See
her tomorrow.
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