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#1 ·
Ironman to showcase city's landmarks


20 NOV 11 20°C TRIATHLON by Urban+Explorer, on Flickr​

A major Ironman event with an almost $100,000 prize pool will be hosted in Auckland next year and will showcase the best the city has to offer. Ironman 70.3 will be held in January and will be the official Asia Pacific Championships and provide athletes with an additional opportunity to qualify for the Ironman World Championships in Las Vegas. The event, which will take in iconic Auckland landscapes with a swim in the Viaduct Harbour, a bike course that includes the Harbour Bridge and a run along the waterfront, is expected to attract 1200 athletes. Over $94,000 in prizes are up for grabs. "New Zealand and Auckland hold a special place in the history of Ironman and the sport of triathlon," Andrew Messick, CEO of World Triathlon Corporation said.

"When the Ironman team began to expand the event series globally, Auckland was chosen as the first international venue. "Over the years, New Zealand has embraced the sport of triathlon with an unmatched enthusiasm while producing incredible talent. It's fitting to bring a major championship to New Zealand and to the magnificent city of Auckland." Auckland was the first international race venue chosen when the Ironman brand began its global growth in the mid-80's. Ironman New Zealand was staged here for 14 years, based at Mission Bay and then St Heliers, before moving to Taupo in 1999. Today there are more than 30 Ironman and 60 Ironman 70.3 races worldwide.

Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) believes the event will boost city coffers and its' January 20 timing during Auckland's New Year programme was "well placed". "It's been nearly 30 years since Auckland hosted the inaugural Ironman event and we are delighted to be back on the international calendar, providing exclusive access to a world-class course," ATEED's Acting General Manager Destination, Jennah Wootten said. Ironman legend Cameron Brown believes the new event will be a major boost for the sport and the city. "Much of my passion for the sport came from those days as a kid watching Ironman from along the Auckland waterfront," Brown, 10-time Ironman New Zealand Champion said.

"To now have the opportunity to race in an Ironman 70.3 event in my home town, and a major championship at that, is going to be very special. I can only hope a whole new generation of young kiwis get the same buzz from Ironman 70.3 Auckland and take up the sport. " The event will be based at the Viaduct Events Centre. The course comprises a 1.9km one-lap swim in the Viaduct Harbour, a 90km bike course over the Harbour Bridge followed by a two-lap city section to St Heliers, and a 21.1km two-lap run along the Auckland waterfront. The finish line will be in the heart of Wynyard Quarter with the stunning city skyline as a backdrop.
 
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#2 ·
Auckland Marathon the hottest ticket in town


20 NOV 11 20°C TRIATHLON by Urban+Explorer, on Flickr​

New Zealand's Next Top Model judge Sara Tetro is among a number of celebrities running in the marathon. Runners hoping to cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge better be quick - the Auckland Marathon is 99 per cent sold out. Auckland's premier running event on October 28 is a hot ticket for both experienced and novice runners and the half marathon section of the event sold out in a matter of weeks. Entries for last year's half marathon sold out in two weeks and the marathon in five weeks. The event, which includes the full marathon distance of 42.2 km, half marathon of 21.1km, quarter marathon, 5km, kids marathon events and walking events, sees marathon runners depart from Devonport, cross the Harbour Bridge, and run down Auckland's Eastern Bays, before returning to finish in the city. Several celebrities are running in the event including a team of woman adidas has dubbed #mygirls. The women - New Zealand's Next Top Model host Sarah Tetro, hockey player Honor Carter, Outrageous Fortune actress Nicole Whippy, former Shortland Street actress Natalie Medlock, The Crowd Goes Wild reporter Meghan Mutrie and Stuff.co.nz fashion journalist Bronwyn Williams - will be training, and blogging, Facebooking and tweeting about their efforts.
 
#3 ·
Auckland to host World Masters Games 2017​





















What is the World Masters Games?
The World Masters Games is the world’s largest multi-sport event and one of the great international sports events providing people of all abilities not only with reasons to play organised sport in later life but also with opportunities to travel the globe, experience different cultures and make new friends. Through this event, the International Masters Games Association (IMGA) advances the “sport for all” philosophy of the Olympic Charter by promoting lifelong competition, friendship and understanding between sportspeople, regardless of age, gender, race, religion or sport status.

What other cities have hosted the World Masters Games?
The World Masters Games take place every four years. They were first staged in Toronto, Canada in 1985 and have since been hosted in Aalborg, Aarhus and Herning (1989), Brisbane (1994), Portland, Oregon (1998), Melbourne (2002), Edmonton (2005) and Sydney (2009). Torino, Italy will host the Games in 2013.The 2009 World Masters Games in Sydney involved 28 sports and more than 28,600 competitors from 95 countries. This is more than twice the number of competitors that took part in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

How much will it cost to host the World Masters Games and who will fund this?
The cost to host the Games in Auckland will be $33.6 million. Auckland Council and Central Government have approved $11 million each and the remaining $11.6 million will come from revenues and sponsorship. An economic impact assessment of the Games estimates the return on this investment will be an inflow of cash into Auckland of approximately $46 million and a GDP impact of around $37 million. This research estimates the attendance of 35,880 people, including 7740 domestic visitors and 17,060 international visitors with the balance coming from within Auckland. This will generate an estimated 250,810 visitor nights in Auckland.

How did Auckland win the rights to host the World Masters Games in 2017?
Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) put together a bid for the Games which was delivered to the International Masters Games Association (IMGA) earlier this year. The IMGA evaluates all bids based on specific criteria.

What criteria did Auckland have to meet?
The technical requirements for a World Masters Games host city are:
• 5,000 volunteers (includes sports officials)
• Sufficient standard of sports facilities at time of bidding and an assurance that no new venues are to be constructed in order to meet World Masters Games requirements
• Accommodation infrastructure capable of meeting the needs of a minimum of 23,000 participants and supporters
• Transport infrastructure capable of moving up to 35,000 people on a daily basis
• Ability to fly 20,000 people in and out of the city within a short space of time.

What other cities bid to host World Masters Games 2017?
There were sixteen international cities who were candidates at the beginning of the process. It is IMGA policy not to reveal who the other cities were. Auckland was successful with negotiations to become the host city.

What infrastructure will need to be built for the Games?
Unlike an event such as the Commonwealth Games, this event does not require hefty investment in new sporting infrastructure. In fact part of the IMGA’s rules for hosting the Games includes restrictions around expenditure on infrastructure upgrades. This is the Association’s approach to controlling the size of the event and ensuring that it does not reach a scale where it is too expensive for cities to host. Auckland’s bid is based on existing infrastructure.

What are the age restrictions for World Masters Games athletes?
The international federation of each sport in the Games impose its own minimum age requirement. The minimum age requirement ranges between 25 and 35 years depending on the sport.

Who will manage the delivery of the World Masters Games in Auckland?
ATEED is responsible for the delivery of the event. ATEED has been charged with developing the appropriate governance and delivery structure.

What sports will be in the 2017 World Masters Games?
The event will be held over 10 days. There are 15 mandatory sports: archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, canoeing / kayaking, cycling, football, hockey, orienteering, rowing, shooting, softball, squash, table tennis, weightlifting. Optional sports likely for Auckland in 2017 are cricket 20/20, golf, lawn bowls, netball, rugby, sailing, surfing, swimming / diving, ocean swimming, tennis, touch rugby, triathlon, volleyball / beach volleyball, marathon, half marathon.

What Auckland venues will be used for the Games?
The map, indicates a wide range of potential venues which would see the Games spread around the Auckland region. Please note this is indicative only and details have yet to be confirmed.

 
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#5 ·
New Zealand to host 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup

New Zealand is set to get an even bigger appetite for the beautiful game after winning the rights to host the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
New Zealand beat Wales to the rights which FIFA announced early Friday morning (NZT) in Zurich. With 24 nations and 52 matches, the FIFA U-20 World Cup is FIFA’s second largest tournament behind the senior men’s event, and rivals the FIFA Women’s World Cup as its next most important. The tournament is broadcast in over 200 countries and has a cumulative audience of around 500 million viewers. The final of Egypt 2009, between Brazil and Ghana, alone drew a global audience of over 25 million people. The qualifying process for this year’s edition in Colombia attracted 179 nations. “Put simply, it’s huge,” said New Zealand Football Chairman Frank van Hattum.

“Outside the FIFA World Cup, the U-20 event is about as big as it gets, and for FIFA to award us the honour and responsibility of hosting is a great vote of confidence given its scale, significance and world-wide interest.” The FIFA U-20 World Cup has been the launching pad for many of football’s past and present superstars including Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. “It’s highly likely that the world’s biggest football nations will qualify and we’ll have the likes of Brazil, Spain, England, Germany and Argentina on our doorstep and among that talent will be the next global superstar. “I’ve got no doubt that kiwi sporting fans will get excited about watching the global game in our backyard, and it will inspire, or even produce, the next generation of All Whites.”

The tournament will be spread across at least six venues although a final decision about which cities are included is yet to be made. “We’ve got four years to prepare and the hard work starts now. There are some important decisions to be made, not least around host cities but Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch are top of the list. I’m sure there will be a lot of interest given the economic impact for a region. ” Van Hattum acknowledged the role New Zealand hosting this year’s Rugby World Cup played in the success of the country’s bid and said New Zealand 2015 would also have cross-code benefits. “Having revitalised stadia and an enhanced hosting capacity was vital for landing a tournament of this size, and it certainly would have helped our cause in the eyes of FIFA.”

“Leaving a legacy for football in New Zealand is something NZF and FIFA are both committed to, and the event will maintain and enhance our nation’s reputation and capability to host major events of all shapes and sizes.” van Hattum also acknowledged the support of SPARC, New Zealand Major Events, the New Zealand Government and local councils in putting together the bid, and the overall assistance from both FIFA and OFC. New Zealand’s success in hosting the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Cup and the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2008 was also seen as a strong selling point. SPARC Chief Executive Peter Miskimmin said he was delighted New Zealand Football had secured the event. SPARC had helped with the feasibility of putting in a bid and had provided $30,000 to develop the bid.

“This will be an amazing opportunity for Kiwi fans, and youngsters in particular to see, and be inspired by, the up and coming stars of world football here on home soil. “This is a golden time for football in New Zealand and it’s a story that just keeps on going. It’s a sport that is doing well at the high performance end with the All Whites, and at the grass roots. Winning this event is recognition of the success football is having in New Zealand, both on and off the field. “The FIFA U-20 World Cup is a highly sought after event and countries compete strongly to host it. So, for New Zealand to win the bid is fantastic and New Zealand Football is to be congratulated on this,” Miskimmin said.
 
#7 ·



THE EVENT

24 TEAMS, FROM 6 CONFEDERATIONS​
* AFC (Asia) = 4 TEAMS TBD
* CAF (Africa) = 4 TEAMS TBD
* CONCACAF (North America, Central America & Caribbean) = 4 TEAMS TBD
* CONMEBOL (South America) = 4 TEAMS TBD
* OFC (Asia) = 1 TEAM TBD + NEW ZEALAND TEAM
* UEFA (Europe) = 6 TEAMS TBD​

THE COMPETITION​
* 52 matches
* Six groups of four teams each
* The best two teams from each group plus the top four third-place finishers go into the Round of 16
* Then knockout, quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final, plus a playoff for 3rd/4th
* Time of the NZ event still be to finalised - either June/July or November​

THE PEOPLE NUMBERS​
* 23 teams of 23 players plus approximately 12 officials in each visiting squad - 800 visitors
* About 180 FIFA staff will attend from across the world
* Around 95 NZ employees will work for the Local Organising Commitee, most fulltime
* Approximately 2,000 volunteers
* Initial budget of 630,000 spectators across 52 matches (average of 12,150 per match)​

THE HOST CITIES​
* Host cities across New Zealand will be selected: Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Invercargill, Napier, Nelson, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Rotorua, Wellington and Whangarei
* Six-eight venues possible
* Upgrading of stadia for the 2011 Rugby World Cup provides numerous options and infrastructure
* International television exposure​

THE AUDIENCES​
* 2015 tournament will be broadcast to over 200 countries worldwide, all matches live
* An international television audience of 450 million can be estimated (based on audiences for the U-20 2007 Canada and 2009 Egypt World Cups)
* Over 250 international media will attend​

OPPORTUNITIES​
* Many opportunities for New Zealand to be profiled
* Host Cities feature in television vignettes showing their attractions and these are provided to international television outlets
* An Official Draw will be held 4-6 months prior to the event - major media occasion, relayed to glabal television audience
* Opening and Closing Ceremonies - celebration of New Zealand's culture and its South Pacific setting - broadcast internationally
* New Zealand will be promoted as a credible footballing nation: "with a very low security risk, good infrastructure, and a great place to visit"​

OBJECTIVES​
NZ Football's objectives for the FIFA U-20 2015 World Cup include:
* Leveraging growth and interest in football
* Involving thousands of New Zealanders in a top-level competiton
* Attracting 10,000-15,000 internation visitators
* Achieving significant economic impact nationally and regionally
* Delivering legacy opportunities and leverage for New Zealand
* Generating significant ticket sales​
 
#11 ·
Pity NZ doesnt have any cricket venues worthy of world cup status :lol:

- Seddon Park is tiny
- The Basin is run down to the dogs (still very much love it though, long live the Basin)
- McLean Park, Eden Park and Westpac Stadium are rugby venues and in my view should never ever host international cricket matches

Still very much looking forward to NZ hosting though, should be fun. Hopefully our Blackcaps have a decent team by then too.
 
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#13 ·
Sounds like fun :colgate:

WINTER SPLASH 2012

Landlubbers of all ages are invited to become pirates for the day and brave the icy waters of Mission Bay for Winter Splash 2012. The free, fancy-dress themed annual swim has become a favourite on the local calendar and the Orakei Local Board is promising plenty of fun and entertainment at this year’s event on Sunday, July 29, from midday to 3pm. Board chair Desley Simpson is encouraging all Aucklanders to dress up as characters from Pirates of the Caribbean for a mid-winter dip or enjoy the range of activities planned on dry land at the Selwyn Reserve. “The Orakei Local Board is proud to support this popular event. It is another great opportunity for local people and businesses to demonstrate what a special place Mission Bay is to the many visitors we are sure will come along,” says Ms Simpson, who will start the race to the sound of cannon fire.

Face painting and a pirate ship bouncy castle will be among the other attractions, which also include roving shark and penguin characters from Kelly Tarlton’s and the event crew from More FM. Mission Bay cafes, bars and restaurants have entered into the spirit of the event by offering a range of “Survivor Discounts” to those registering for the swim. There will be fantastic prizes on offer as well, but one local family doesn’t need any incentive to take part. Peter Marks, his wife Ruth Hill, and children Nathan (12), Hannah (10) and Ben (8), from Glendowie, have braved the cold for the past six years in a variety of guises. “We have been dressed as everything from The Incredibles to the Big Kahunas and his Hula Honeys and we have so many great photos,” says Ruth. “The Winter Splash is a great event and we have loved getting to know people who come back year after year to join the fun.”

Registration starts at midday, followed by the splash at 2pm and entertainment until 3pm.
 
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#14 ·
Country’s first NZ Fitness Expo Set For Action-Packed Launch

It’s less than two weeks until one of the biggest and most exhilarating fitness events to be staged in New Zealand hits Auckland: the inaugural NZ Fitness Expo. The two-day expo will reveal the latest international fitness trends, crown New Zealand’s next top fitness model, pit some of the country’s fittest and strongest people against each other in a series of gruelling battles, give fitness fans the chance to see international and local superstars and much more. Ultimate Fighter Championship legend Forrest Griffin will be flying over to the expo from the United States, fresh from winning a nail-biting bout against the legendary Tito Ortiz in Las Vegas. He’ll be joined by two leading fitness models, Laura Prestin and Kiwi Raechelle Chase, Mr Olympia veteran Moe el Moussawi and Cirque Du Soleil star gymnast Ebon Grayman. “Fitness is a booming industry in New Zealand,” says NZ Fitness Expo ambassador Lee-Ann Wann, of Downsize Me fame. “It’s also constantly changing, and this expo will give Kiwi fitness professionals and enthusiasts a chance to get up to speed with the latest trends and knowledge – and have a blast.”

In keeping with the theme, this is not your usual expo – it’s also a workout. Free fitness classes throughout the weekend will give expo visitors the chance to try out the newest exercise trends and equipment, and the latest moves in tried and tested favourites, including Zumba, Les Mills and City Fitness. What will be the fitness trend everyone’s talking about in the next few years? The Bulgarian Bag? Zumba Sentao? Nastix? Group Centergy? Gymstick Muscle? The Foam Roller? The Duraball? Synrgy360? Find out. Seminars on health, nutrition, fitness and careers from some of the leading minds in the country will send visitors home with plenty of inspiration. Topics include: “The top five biggest cow-poo myths about fitness and food and how to never fall for them again” and “How to drink beer, eat chocolate and still lose weight.” Exhilarating events throughout the weekend will keep the energy levels pumping:


The Rachaelle Chase Fitness Model Search will put 45 competitors through their well-toned paces to find New Zealand’s next top fitness model.

The Industrial Athletic Crossfit Invitational on Saturday will showcase the fittest men and women in New Zealand in a fierce set of gruelling battles.

The NZ Fitness Expo Strongman Championship on Sunday will put the strongest men in New Zealand to the test over four rounds of intense competition.

The SAS, the New Zealand Army and Cirque Du Soleil gymnast Ebon Grayman will give fitness training demonstrations on the revolutionary new Synrgy360 equipment, which will be launched at the expo.

A VIP event from 8.00 – 10.00am on Saturday morning, where media can get a preview of the expo and meet the celebrities.

Meanwhile, on the expo floor, more than 70 leading brands will showcase the latest and most innovative fitness products and trends from around the world, from gyms and equipment to training aids and accessories, professional services, career opportunities and performance apparel.
 
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#15 ·
Work starts on new centre


The starting whistle has blown for the building of a new indoor courts centre at Bruce Pulman Park. The first sod was turned last Friday morning before a breakfast to celebrate the occasion. The new centre has been 15 years in the making. It will sit next to the current netball centre and will hold six netball courts as well as catering for volleyball and basketball. Seven of the 21 outdoor asphalt netball courts now at the park will disappear when the new facilities are built. Centre manager Murray Wood says construction should finished in 2013 but "it's a big job". "It'll cost over $10 million all up. It's effectively just a big barn but it's an engineering feat to build on these swamps."

That cost is being funded mainly through the Bruce Pulman Trust but Auckland Council and Papakura Local Board have also contributed. For big matches the centre can be transformed into one court with grandstand seating on both sides. Mr Wood says while the centre will be able to host big events, the trust won't let community teams be sidelined. "We get 7000 or 8000 people through the park every Saturday and they're the most important," he says. "We don't see ourselves as an event centre - more of a participation centre." The centre is part of the trust's master plan to invest in Papakura and Manukau by providing the community with world-class sporting facilities.

It's about halfway through a list of projects it started in 1997 when the original netball centre opened. The trust has a long-term lease of the 64 hectares of land from the council but puts mainly its own money into the buildings. "We have a different management model to how the council operates. We have a very high utilisation rate because of the quality of the facilities," Mr Wood says. Next on the trust's list is a Sport Development Centre. It will be built in partnership with AUT University and will focus on track and field sports.
 
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#16 ·
I have to agree, the NZ uniform is spot-on and very trendy right now :cheers:

NZ Olympic uniform voted among best, Aussies worst

The New Zealand Olympic team uniform has been rated as one of the best by Time magazine ahead of the London Games. In a list of the 'best, worst and just plain weird', New Zealand joined notoriously fashionable countries France and Italy (the homes of Yves Saint Laurent and Gucci respectively) in the best list. The mainly grey, white and black pieces were inspired by uniforms from the 1948 New Zealand Olympic team - the year the summer Games were last held in London. They were designed by Rodd and Gunn's Irena Prikryll. "The white trim on the black blazers are a nice touch, but we could do without the big bow on the busy, patterned dress," the Time website says. The uniform attracted mixed reviews from nzherald.co.nz readers with 17 percent of the 9100 voters saying they 'Love it!', while 14 percent voted for 'Ugh'. Countries that made the worst list include Australia's 'lawn bowls' look, Spain's 'NASCAR' inspired tracksuits and Russia's dizzy red and white ensemble. China's outfit was also compared with Ronald McDonald. Jamaica, Great Britain, Germany and South Korea were also rated amongst the best while Time labelled the USA's Ralph Lauren outfits as "preppy".
 
#19 ·
MOA+I Proposes Gorgeous Waterfront Test Cricket Ground in Auckland​


The Ministry of Architecture + Interiors has just released images of their plan to build a new international test cricket ground in Auckland’s Waitemata Harbor. The sweeping structure that stretches out over the water like a giant sail will be a multi-purpose haven for visitors and players alike. It will not only house an immaculate playing field, locker rooms, vendors, and event spaces, but will also double as an outdoor concert and festival venue between professional games and during the off season.


The seaside arena plans are part of an urban renewal project years in the making. Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter, along the Waitemata Harbor, has long been home to a number of liquid chemical plant storage facilities, aptly named the “Tank Farm.” The industrial wasteland known for polluting the harbor has just recently been reclaimed and plans to transform the space to multi-use residential and commercial centers are already underway. The new test cricket ground would sit at the quarter’s edge, overlooking the harbor which will proudly display a cleaner, brighter, landscape.

 
#21 ·
That's an awful proposal basically proposes to turn the end of the wharf into a flat boring paved surface. No thanks. Leave it to the people who are doing such at agreat job at present at creating spaces people want to visit. These MOA+I people, whom, I've never heard of before don't have much of a vision IMO.
 
#24 ·
So let me get this straight. We can't put it in an existing park as that would be closing it off to the public, we can't build a new park because that makes it boring? WTF are we supposed to do? Maybe we shouldn't have cricket at all in Auckland. Let's move the Aces to a city that will appreciate them, perhaps New Plymouth. They can have our ODI's as well cause we aren't going to do shit to promote our summer sport here. We are already the laughing stock of Australasia. The only major city without a dedicated cricket ground.
 
#22 ·
It looks so much better and more practical than Eden Park No 2. If Auckland Cricket Assoc. don't like this one then the cricket fans of the area may as well make Sneddon Park their choice of venue. It looks unique kind of like the flashy stadiums of Dubai and Abu Dhabi and will add make the area so much more attractive.
I get the feeling Lee Germon needs the fans of Auckland for his proposal in Chch and Auckland needs the likes of a Lee Germon.
 
#25 ·
Article from NZ Herald on Proposed Cricket Stadium

First there was Victoria Park, now backers desperate to see test cricket return to Auckland at a suitable venue have come up with another option - the end of the Tank Farm. Former test cricketer Greg Loveridge and Robt Jones Holdings colleague David Rankin have a vision to turn the land at the end of the Tank Farm into a world-class oval that would also be capable of hosting concerts and small festivals. They have high-profile backing, too, with Martin Crowe saying he hadn't felt this excited about the prospects for cricket for a long time. "Auckland clearly needs a new test ground," Rankin said. "It's a problem that needs to be solved. "The fact the council is even proposing a new ground is a clear illustration the city needs a ground." But Rankin and Loveridge believe a move to Albany, as proposed in a discussion document released last month by Regional Facilities Auckland, would be a disaster. "The ground needs to be close to the CBD, it needs to be where your population base is," Rankin said.

Crowe, arguably New Zealand's greatest batsman, said the waterfront near the city was the perfect location. He met up with Rankin and Loveridge, a one-test cricketer in the 1990s, and liked what he saw. "It has real merit," he said. "With modern technology, you can have it as a public space and transform it into a test ground so quickly. But the key is the ability for people to walk down from work at lunchtime and after work. It would be magical." Last month, television personality Jeremy Wells went public with his plan to transform the city end of Victoria Park into an oval capable of hosting test cricket, which quickly gathered high-powered support. Wells saw the advantages being its proximity to the CBD, which would attract lunchtime and after-work crowds; its location near the new Wynyard Quarter entertainment and dining precinct; the opportunity to showcase Auckland in a positive light to potential tourists for five to 10 days a year and the relatively low cost of player facilities and grass banks. The plan met with overwhelming public support in an online poll and feedback to this newspaper.

Rankin says the motivations for putting an oval on the Tank Farm mirrored the Victoria Park project, but it had two significant advantages: it would cause no disruption to club cricket and there were already plans to turn the Tank Farm into a park. "The initial plan was for a simple embankment only, which should keep the cost down to that comparable with the planned headland park," Rankin said. "With further funds we would ultimately envisage a small stand which also doubles as a sound stage. This could be used for concerts, which further positions the ground as an asset for all of the city, not just for cricket lovers. "Apart from 10 days of test cricket a year, the public would have full access to the park. "In reality, it would immediately be one of the great cricket grounds of the world. It would be surrounded by water on three sides, with the cityscape as a background. "It would offer a terrific advertisement for the city and country to viewers in the likes of the UK, Australia, South Africa and India."

The proposed headland park is mooted for beyond 2020 but Rankin hopes the opportunity to create a sports and city legacy might push the timing forward. Wells said he had seen the plans and thought they looked exciting. "Obviously I think Victoria Park is more viable, particularly in the short term, but it is great that we are getting people with ideas committed to getting test cricket back to Auckland and into the CBD," Wells said. Auckland last hosted a test in 2006, though Eden Park with its postage-stamp straight boundaries has controversially been allocated a test between New Zealand and England next season. Auckland Cricket is tied to Eden Park through legislation and has made it clear it will not move.
 
#29 ·
Test cricket in Auckland will never happen. We're done. Albany is too far away from the city, Western Springs has been ruled out, Eden Park has terrible atmosphere, Colin Maiden can't be developed due to size constraints, Avondale will most likely remain a horse track for the foreseeable future, Victoria Park and the Domain take public land and Wynyard Quarter is ruled out because it's not 'stylish enough'. We're running out of options. I hope NZ Cricket pull out of Auckland altogether. We simply don't deserve top flight cricket in this city.
 
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#31 ·
Chin up old chap ... there is always a solution. Having met you I know that you would rather it be some where else than Wynyard Quarter. I love your optimism and enthusiasm .... don't falter now ;)
 
#30 ·
As the biggest city in the country, Auckland should have a permanent test venue, notba temporary ground. The issue is Auckland cricket - you can't really justify a ground which is only used 10 days a year. However if the domestic team was based there, that's a different story.

The only way I see Auckland Cricket relenting is after the England tests at Eden Park, NZC doesn't hand the region anymore tests. In that regard, supporters need to send Auckland Cricket a message - they can no longer tolerate the lack of test cricket.
 
#36 ·
It's not just a problem with Auckland Cricket. The proposal to move the cricket ground to Albany just isn't going to fly. AC know that sales for domestic will be low if they move there. It's just too far away from the core of the city for most people to bother. Auckland Cricket need to be offered the opportunity to lease a decent ground before you can say they are they problem. The ground must be located on the isthmus yet there are few suitable locations. A tough call needs to be made or we should be ready to never see the return of test cricket.
 
#33 ·
Team New Zealand launch new yacht

Team New Zealand brought a national feel to their America's Cup campaign by naming their giant new catamaran 'New Zealand' at a christening ceremony in Auckland. A large crowd gathered in the Viaduct Basin for the occasion and dignitaries included Prime Minster John Key. The government has provided $34m in funding as TNZ look to regain the cup in San Francisco next year. The 72-foot catamaran was launched with skipper Dean Barker's wife Mandy splashing it with champagne. Simultaneously, fireworks lit the sky as 18 months of work by the design and build teams were revealed for all to see.

TNZ managing director Grant Dalton said the night could not have happened with the support of the government and sponsors who backed the team with such enthusiasm. "New Zealanders should be proud that their team attracts the support of these major international companies," Dalton said. "The same can be said for the international designers, engineers and analysts who augmented our design team. "We are proud of what we have achieved so far, working in a tin shed in Auckland. "We carry the New Zealand flag sponsors' brands proudly and pledge that the mission of every member of this team is to bring the America's Cup back to New Zealand." TNZ will begin testing the catamaran in Auckland this week. They are only allowed 30 days on the water before January 31 under cup rules.
 
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