New indoor stadium for Quay Park to hold 12,000, imagine that packed out for tall blacks vs aus boomers.

Link to pics and info
http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/council/projects/arena/default.asp

just what Auckland needs , going to be the best place for a concert as well !

Heres a Web Cam showing the Construction ! :)

http://www.mainzeal.co.nz/arenacam/webcapture.htm

Wow I can't believe they're actually building it after all that talk. Cool

Cool stuff Kiwi's. Perth desperately needs a replacement indoor as well. Hope we get as good as this at least.

Let's hope Dick Hubbard does not implace an 80 decebel limit on this arena! Or 80 decebels on the cranes.

80 decibels on his cereal factory. He'll have to find a quieter way to churn out those Clipboard newsletters.

:lol: :rofl: John Banks wasn't the best but he is better than Dick Hubbard, Dick Hubbard is a serious dick.

Dick-tator Hubbard, he looks like he's dancing when he talks in public, probably the same when he talks to Mrs Hubbard at the breakfast table

^ :rofl: Now Western Springs is going to turn into a water treatment plant, that should serve that commitie of the people against the speedway right!!!!

At least that is what I saw on Close up @ 7 on TV1.

Just to screw things up even more they should now turn the oxidation ponds into a speedway. You'd be speeding away from all sorts of crap. It's a metaphor for people leaving Auckland's madness.

Thats what happens when you listen to the opinions, they should do whats good for the city, not boring morons that complain for a living.

Well if they had the V8 Supercars, and all the traffic was horrendously screwed up, at least those people that complain wouldn't be able to get to their complaining appointments, and everyone with some fun inside them would be down there dodging the flyin_tires

^ Very, true. :lol:

I went past this a couple of days ago. It's looking good, starting to take shape! You can see where they're putting up the seating.

Wow i didn't expect it to go up that quick. I'll have to shoot down and take some photos next time i'm in town.

I didn't notice either, I'll visit the AKL city council website for some pictures.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y197/atkinson1/arena.jpg

Coming along nicely isn't it!

Very! It's going to be great when it's finished. Auckland has waited decades for an indoor venue like this. Hopefully now we won't loose out on so many big concerts and things.

And in the foreground you can see the monstrosity that they added onto the railway station. I still can't get over what a waste of what could have been an architectural centerpiece for Auckland it is.

Indeed that student accomodation part is very cheap and ugly. I wish they would have used that bldg for something better, considering its size etc.

Does the old Auckland railway station still operate as a fully functional station or is it just accomadation now?? if it doesn't planners should consider reopening it because it could serve the new arena very well and eliminate some of the parking troubles spectators are going to have, as i beleive there is no designated carpark for the arena. Unless the walk from britomart isn't too long of course. Does anyone know how long it will take to walk from britomart to the arena anyway??

The old railway station is just accomodation.

The walk from Britomart to the Arena would be about 15-20 minutes I rekon but its not a very pedestrian-friendly area with very busy main roads and industrial features. It's definately an issue that needs to be addressed. Maybe some sort of monorail to ferry passengers between Britomart and the Arena?

Nah its not that far more like 5-10 mins. 10 mins if you dawdle. But yes, like much of Auckland the pedestrian connections are not great, so the council will have to do something about that before the arena opens.

Something definately needs to be done about it though.

Does anybody know where this is? i haven't been back home in 4 years and i dont quite remember where this construction area is. I just know its near the wharfs. Anbody have any pictures of the Construction area in relation to auckland? (ie a topdown view

I'm 95% sure it's here:

http://img95.echo.cx/img95/7263/d1160zz.jpg

So just east of downtown. To put it context it's just across the road from where the old chinese markets building used to be.

Yep, thats exactly where it is, right next to the old Railway Station.

Welcome Overseas Kiwi , which Country do you live in ? Toms getting way behind with new Member Gifts LOL :)

Hello and thank you :P

I'm currently studing International Business Economics in the UK

End of 2nd year and then going to Spain for 3 months holiday :P

Hello and thank you :P

I'm currently studing International Business Economics in the UK

End of 2nd year and then going to Spain for 3 months holiday :P

Hi, will you be returning to NZ ? and where are you going to in Spain ?

I have to say i was suprised that they allowed the indoor arena to be built at all, Auckland seems to be scared of doing projects beneficial to the public :P just thank god that construction and everything had already started before the change in political leadership in auckland :S

I go back home whenever i can, last time was for xmas where i stayed at a buddies place. Parents live in australia at the moment so and i go back there about 3-4 times a year from Europe. SO when i'm in Australia its just a matter of hopping over the tasman :P

And of course Browns-Bay, Northshore is the best place in the world !!

Actually I thought Dick and Co were quite supportive of the Arena. It was just the Eastern Motorway that they opposed, which made sense to oppose.

Yeah that's correct flyin. Dick seems to be a big supporter of public event/sport facilies in Auckland which is a really good thing considering our current lack of good facilities. He's also all for extending Eden Park and bringing back Western Springs Speedway.

Vector have the naming rights to Aucklands new arena. The arena is now officially called Vector Arena. There was an article in the herald today showing internal and exterior pics of the arena and it looks good. The arena will have seating for 12,200 people. Its surprising that Aucklands arena will have more seating capacity than some of the Aussie ones.

One promoter is trying to get U2 to perform at the new arena next year during their tour of Australia. Hope this happens!

^
http://media.apn.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/26franklin.JPG

Vector have the naming rights to Aucklands new arena. The arena is now officially called Vector Arena. There was an article in the herald today showing internal and exterior pics of the arena and it looks good. The arena will have seating for 12,200 people. Its surprising that Aucklands arena will have more seating capacity than some of the Aussie ones.

One promoter is trying to get U2 to perform at the new arena next year during their tour of Australia. Hope this happens!

I always thought that if U2 did come here on their world tour that they would be too big to play at an indoor arena... I was thinking more along the lines of Ericsson or Western Springs. If anyone has seen the U2 go home dvd then they will know what I am talking about. :omg:

Just an update:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y197/atkinson1/superdome.jpg

Good update on Harbour Residences as well , fills quite a good Gap from that Angle ! :)

The arena looks like a mushroom.

The arena looks like a mushroom.

Nah the Eureka Tower lying down having a Nana's Nap ! :)

Good pic Tom. The Arena looks, well, like an Arena; big lol! And yea its a good update of harbourcity as well;)

http://media.apn.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/25coldplay.JPG
Coldplay gives NZ the cold shoulder

26.10.05
By Scott Kara


One of the world's biggest bands are likely to cancel their only New Zealand concert following more delays in finishing Auckland's waterfront arena.

Coldplay were to play at Vector Arena next June, but the 12,000-seat indoor arena, initially scheduled to be completed by the end of this year, will not be finished in time.

In May, the Herald reported that the completion date for the $80 million project had been put back to March 2006. However, Coldplay concert promoter Manolo Echave said it would now be late July or early August before the arena was ready.

"The deal was negotiated with the artist to come to New Zealand. All that was signed, sealed and delivered but the situation now is that ... there isn't a venue we want to use," he said.

Apart from U2, Coldplay are the biggest band in the world, having sold more than 23 million copies of their three albums, Parachutes, A Rush of Blood to the Head, and this year's X&Y. In New Zealand they have sold 230,000 albums.

Coldplay are also booked to play in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne, with some shows already sold out.

Mr Echave said there were few - if any - alternative indoor venues in New Zealand big enough to cater for Coldplay.

The Supertop, at Ericsson Stadium, was not ideal. The recent Black Eyed Peas concert there was changed to another venue after bad weather damaged the roof.

He said an outdoor concert was a possibility but "not worth contemplating really" at that time of year.

Vector Arena chief executive Bruce Mactaggart said the timing of Coldplay's tour was difficult.

"Until we have confirmation from the builders about the date of handover, anything falling around the middle of the year is a little tricky."

Ahhh poos. I was gonna go and see them too. Sounds more like its the builders fault, not Coldplay's, the title is misleading

I heard also that the Rolling Stones won't be playing in NZ for the same reason early next year! I say we get out there and give em a hand to finish the damn thing, making us look ridiculous.

wonderful arena...does anybody perhaps have any renderings of the proposed upgrade to eden park to a 60,000 seat venue if it wins the rugby world cup 2011 bid ...

what a fantastic location for such a place

the arena is cool...quite similar in design to the one that is being built here in Durban...both actually similar sizes and both have these huge mother roofs. Pity about the concert for u guys

Ooh I love it..........what will be the ice-hockey club playing there?

They could put in a rail station at the new arena if the council had any vision, it would save people having to walk from britomart
http://www.vectorarena.co.nz/images/gallery/1Hero.jpg

They could put in a rail station at the new arena if the council had any vision, it would save people having to walk from britomart


People need to walk more - just imagine tha calories that they will burn off and it isn't that far ;) I walk from the downtown ferry terminal to St Heliers at least once a week .. if I can do that, then people can walk from Brito to Vector ... Talking about rail stations .. any news regarding the underground network running along Albert Street to Mount Eden and back ? The last I heard, it was definitely going to happen.

City Council is still looking into it, funding is the main issue I think.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y197/atkinson1/21Nov/08.jpg

Its quite imposing from Quay St, like the Cake Tin is from Aotea Quay in Wellington.

its impressive...is vector a brand name that has bought the rights for the arena?

Yes, they are an Energy Infrastructure Company.

A couple of recent interior pics I borrowed from an IPENZ news letter:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b253/loafer2/Arena.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b253/loafer2/Arena2.jpg

I'm gutted bout missing Coldplay first of all earlier this year because of the delays, but now to miss Pearl Jam also!!! :wallbash:

^^ :eek: wow that's so huge from the inside thank for the pics. :cheers2:

Cripes it does look bigger than I expected inside. I so hope they put a Shane Cameron or Tua fight on there. Hell even Tua vs Cameron, Camerons keen. Would be brilliant.

I'm gutted bout missing Coldplay first of all earlier this year because of the delays, but now to miss Pearl Jam also!!! :wallbash:
Cool pics man, and yea, I was gutted about Coldplay not coming too.

Yes flip that looks awesome inside.

Cripes it does look bigger than I expected inside. I so hope they put a Shane Cameron or Tua fight on there. Hell even Tua vs Cameron, Camerons keen. Would be brilliant.
this would be so cool, stadium looks great too

Taken on my 'bike day out' today :)

The banner at the entrance says "Vector Arena, The Entertainment Hub of the Pacific".

I guess we'll have to wait and see...

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/cjmhall/000_03051.jpg

Found this on nzherald website

http://media.apn.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/arena1240-40.jpg

cool diagram king kong! Does anyone have a photo of the stadium in its current state??

whats its size? looks like it doesnt have the brown look like it had in the render, but looks ok still from the one view

whats its size? looks like it doesnt have the brown look like it had in the render, but looks ok still from the one view

It will seat 12 200 people. I live one city block from the Vector Arena and I will get you some pics - stay tuned matey.

^^ Have you got those pix yet enigma? i really want to see how it has progressed.

Open day for Vector Arena

Sunday, 18 March 12.00pm to 4.00pm.

http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/news/council/200703/11/images/a02.jpg

^^ Im going with Flyin, SSC meet?

It's going to be a bit chaotic down that way on Sunday - Round the Bays. But my wife is doing that and I'll probably have to pick her up with the kids. I'll see if we can stop in on the ways back!

Yea we should totally make it an ssc meet! Who else could make it?

I should be able to make it.

Make it at 12 then we will look like real SSC freaks!

^^Well not really, its not even a skyscraper after all lol. but yea it would be cool fo shizzle.

We managed to make to the stadium by 2:45. These are a few pics of the stadium - pretty cool place!

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/75802582.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/75802583.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/75802584.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/75802594.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/75802593.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/75802596.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/75802585.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/75802588.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/75802587.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/75802590.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/75802586.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/75802589.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/75802592.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/75802591.jpg

A couple more

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/75810484.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/75810485.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/75810486.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/75810488.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/75810489.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/75810490.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/75810491.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/75810493.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/75810494.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/75810495.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/75810496.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/75810497.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/75810498.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/75810499.jpg

A beginner's guide to Vector Arena

By now you should all know that Vector Arena is finally complete and about to open its shiny glass doors to its first concert - Rockstar Supernova - this Saturday. You probably also know that the arena cost approximately $80 million and seats more than 12,000. But what about the important stuff - How do we get there? Where do we get a drink around there? How much will a pie cost?

We braved the astringent fresh paint smell and maze-like corridors of Auckland's newest venue to find out this and more. We even checked out the Green Room backstage - which isn't green but deep red, with mustard-coloured sofas and two widescreen, plasma TVs- and discovered the emergency override button that has the ability to cut all power and sound to the venue and bring up full house lights. Most importantly, we tried out one of the 12,200 seats and can report back that they are padded, quite comfortable and should prevent the numb-bum syndrome.

Where to go

Anyone who has driven along Auckland's waterfront in the past two years will have seen the giant brown arena under construction. But you can't actually access the building from Quay St. Instead, head to Customs St and turn into Mahuhu Crescent, behind the Quay Park Health building. Be warned, a one-way street blocks the end of Mahuhu Crescent, turning it into a dead end. But that shouldn't be an issue as the road will be closed on event nights anyway.

Getting there

According to the website, "over 7000 car parks are located within 1.5km" of Vector Arena. Unfortunately, there are also several apartment buildings, a university hostel, an A&E clinic and a variety of other businesses located within that same 1.5km. Our advice: don't even think about driving. The good news is, the arena's reasonable proximity to Britomart, Queen St and Parnell means public transport isn't such a bad idea.

Amenities

Vector Arena sports what looks to be a more than ample supply of toilets, which this intrepid reporter can testify were shiny, clean and smelt powder fresh on Monday morning. There's no telling what they'll be like by late Saturday night, but at least they're solid fixtures.

Booze and food

With seven double concession stands serving alcohol and snacks as well as an on-site bistro, this is one area the Vector Arena planners have really got covered. Offering a variety of hot food and snacks, some of the menu highlights include Jelly Tip ice creams for $3.50 or meat pies at $4. Beer will set you back $6 and wine $6.50. Bistro Arena is open daily from 7am as a cafe, with full dining options available in the evenings before shows.

very cool..been following the progress on this venue..wish the seats were black and white..but maybe thats pushing it.

very cool..been following the progress on this venue..wish the seats were black and white..but maybe thats pushing it.

I agree .. I am not to keen on the colour scheme either but thankfully I won't have to look at it when there are bums on the seats ;)

I agree .. I am not to keen on the colour scheme either but thankfully I won't have to look at it when there are bums on the seats ;)

but why you wouldnt wanna look at the bums either would u?

but why you wouldnt wanna look at the bums either would u?

Nah - the bums will cover the seats and minimise the effects of the colour, it all helps ;)

Vector - construction as at 22 Aug 2005 and finish

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/76081758.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/76730249.jpg

When are they going to do something about the sound? Bob Dylan was crap! Not only his music but the sound!!!

Doubt they can do anything now. itll be the inside acoustics

I went to see Pink there a couple of months ago and the acoustics were fine. Although we were quite close to the runway so it may have been a differen't story for the the people in the stands.

^^ Yea I think it has alot to do with where you are, and people said that Bob Dylan himself was worse than the sound.

Some ppl said the Red Hot Chillies was great, and others said they couldnt stand the sound.

Bump...

I went to see War of the Worlds there on Friday. It was amazing, yet the sound... There was something about it. I later watched the DVD and the sound was a lot cleaner in the Wembley Theatre, where the DVD was filmed.

I think it has something to do with the concrete walls, the sound just bounces around. Oh, and it was too loud, when the Artilleryman was singing "Brave New World" my ears started twitching. Seriously!

Bump...

I went to see War of the Worlds there on Friday. It was amazing, yet the sound... There was something about it. I later watched the DVD and the sound was a lot cleaner in the Wembley Theatre, where the DVD was filmed.

I think it has something to do with the concrete walls, the sound just bounces around. Oh, and it was too loud, when the Artilleryman was singing "Brave New World" my ears started twitching. Seriously!

People have said that it is due to the amount of glass used inside. As everyone knows, glass retains the properties of both a liquid and a solid and can undergo simple harmonic motion acting to bounce sound and cause odd reverb.

People have said that it is due to the amount of glass used inside. As everyone knows, glass retains the properties of both a liquid and a solid and can undergo simple harmonic motion acting to bounce sound and cause odd reverb.

Hmm... something should be done about it. I couldn't hear ANYTHING the following day :ohno:

Design wise, I think the arena looks awesome! I love the glass out the front.

It is beautiful and a great addition to Auckland.

Sorry to bump an old thread. But thanks to Vector Arena Mt Smart Supertop is no more :banana:

It sold today for (get this) $10 :lol: Goodbye you embarrassment!

http://libel.co.nz/blog_posts/789-mt_smart_supertop_sells_for_just_10_

Mt Smart Supertop Sells For Just $10!

An Auckland businessman today picked up the deal of a lifetime when he bought the Mt Smart Supertop tent for just $10 from Turners Auctions this morning.

The tent, which is 130 metres long, 57 metres wide and can hold up to 13,000 people, was originally purchased by Ray Channon in 1991 for $550,000. The giant tent featured many concerts throughout the years such as Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, Bryan Adams and Guns n' Roses.

It was noted on the Turners Auction website that the tent only had 5-7 years of life left.

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l91/The_WCC/Supertop2.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l91/The_WCC/Supertopinterior.jpg

Sorry to bump an old thread. But thanks to Vector Arena Mt Smart Supertop is no more :banana:

It sold today for (get this) $10 :lol: Goodbye you embarrassment!

http://libel.co.nz/blog_posts/789-mt_smart_supertop_sells_for_just_10_

Mt Smart Supertop Sells For Just $10!

An Auckland businessman today picked up the deal of a lifetime when he bought the Mt Smart Supertop tent for just $10 from Turners Auctions this morning.

The tent, which is 130 metres long, 57 metres wide and can hold up to 13,000 people, was originally purchased by Ray Channon in 1991 for $550,000. The giant tent featured many concerts throughout the years such as Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, Bryan Adams and Guns n' Roses.

It was noted on the Turners Auction website that the tent only had 5-7 years of life left.

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l91/The_WCC/Supertop2.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l91/The_WCC/Supertopinterior.jpg

Good riddance:cheers:

Good riddance:cheers:

It still lives on in Google Earth (http://maps.google.ch/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Mt+Smart,&sll=-36.918637,174.810875&sspn=0.00256,0.004227&ie=UTF8&radius=0.12&rq=1&ev=zo&hq=Mt+Smart,&hnear=&ll=-36.918367,174.810296&spn=0.00256,0.006271&t=h&z=18) ;-)

Vector to debut more intimate setting (http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/whats-on/7721221/Vector-to-debut-more-intimate-setting)

Country music icon Emmylou Harris will play a one-off New Zealand show at Auckland's Vector Arena this November. But it will be a concert of firsts. Not only will it be the Grammy Award-winner's first time playing at Auckland's largest indoor venue, but it will also mark the debut of a new seating format. For what has been dubbed the Vector Arena theatre mode, the 12,000 seat venue will cleverly use curtains and stage placement to create a cozy reduced capacity experience, in an attempt to cope with a lack of intimate venues in Auckland. The ballroom, theatrical feel will seat anywhere between 1500 and 3000 audience members, meaning no matter how many tickets have been sold, the venue will always feel full. Rather than being a shrunken version of the arena, as is the case with some shows currently, the theatrical mode moves the stage closer to the seats, resulting in better sound quality and maintaining good sightlines ... MORE (http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/whats-on/7721221/Vector-to-debut-more-intimate-setting)

Some pics of the theatre set up...

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l91/The_WCC/TheatreModePhoto5.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l91/The_WCC/TheatreModePhoto2.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l91/The_WCC/TheatreModePhoto1.jpg

Nice. looks intimate and cosy. Thanks piles.

It looks better than I thought it would. Not quite the Civic but no venue in the city can compare to that. Maybe the St James if it's done up.

Nice. looks intimate and cosy. Thanks piles.

No worries! :cheers:

Vector Arena plans mini venue next door (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10870238)

New Zealand's flagship indoor concert mecca is getting a mini version of itself. Bosses at the 12,000-capacity Vector Arena in Auckland are converting a two-storey bistro next door into an intimate gig venue. It will hold up to 300 music fans and host a mix of local and international acts. Stage and lighting equipment is being installed at the Tuning Fork bistro. Concerts are expected to start in May. "We want to find the kind of bands that can make an impact at the small venue and in time make the leap to playing the main arena," Vector boss Stuart Clumpas told the Herald on Sunday. "Until we gauge the reaction to the noise from our neighbours, we will stage mellower gigs. There would be no point in putting on the new Metallica and freaking everyone out. We would rather try and find the new Leonard Cohen." The Tuning Fork will also have a musical feel to the interior, along the lines of the world-famous Hard Rock Cafe chain. "We have items like a signed brick from Roger Waters when he was here with his show The Wall," said Clumpas, "and Taylor Swift's banjo will also be going on the wall."