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Fri March 29 2024

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Wellington moves forward with arena plan

31 May 17 Mayors in the Wellington region of New Zealand have voted unanimously to move forward with plans for a major concert arena.

A regional levy helped fund Westpac Stadium
A regional levy helped fund Westpac Stadium

Currently Wellington region ratepayers contribute to a regional stadium levy, which helped fund Westpac Stadium. The region’s councils will now consider whether that money can instead be used in the future to support a new regional arena. They have directed economic agency WREDA to undertake an investigation and report back by August on a way forward.

Mayor of Wellington Justin Lester said the need for such an arena is obvious. “Wellington might not have been able to afford a major new arena on our own, but with financial support from the rest of the region we’re much more likely to get this across the line.

Wellington is the capital of culture in this country, but we hear frequently that a lack of a good-sized concert arena means we are missing out on major acts which are going elsewhere instead. We’ve asked WREDA to investigate an arena of between 8,000 and 12,000 seats and look forward to the results.”

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He added: “Wellington City Council has already budgeted $60 million for an arena like this through our long-term plan, but to have the support from our regional partners is a huge boost and will help us deliver this project.”

Mayor of Upper Hutt Wayne Guppy, who moved the motion, says the whole region will benefit from a new arena. “This will be great for the Hutt and the whole Wellington region. Major concerts will be a boost for tourism and local businesses and help us attract more people to come and stay in the region.”

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