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Former Prime Minister Helen Clark, who has opposed the expansion of concerts at Eden Park, said the move was not the best "best long-term option for Auckland".

"A downtown site, close to hotels, restaurants, and bars at scale, and close to where all main transport routes converge, is best suited for a major future-proofed entertainment venue for Auckland," Clark told the Herald.
 "As well, the disclosure of the extent of the perks enjoyed by Councillors at Eden Park has disturbing implications for Council decision-making.”

Hospitality New Zealand chief executive Steve Armitage said the decision provides clarity for the future of Eden Park, "which is an important economic driver for hospitality and accommodation businesses in the region".

“While Councillors announcing a preferred venue is an important step, what matters most is ensuring there’s a consistent pipeline of events to drive demand and create appeal for Auckland and New Zealand,” Armitage said.

“Whether it’s concerts, sports or cultural events, every event has a ripple effect across the city, supporting bars, restaurants, cafés, and accommodation providers."

Hospitality New Zealand chief executive Steve Armitage said the decision provides clarity for the future of Eden Park, "which is an important economic driver for hospitality and accommodation businesses in the region".

“While Councillors announcing a preferred venue is an important step, what matters most is ensuring there’s a consistent pipeline of events to drive demand and create appeal for Auckland and New Zealand,” Armitage said.

“Whether it’s concerts, sports or cultural events, every event has a ripple effect across the city, supporting bars, restaurants, cafés, and accommodation providers."

Eden Park CEO Nick Sautner said he was "delighted" at the decision and called the redevelopment of the stadium a "practical, buildable, and future-ready approach".

"Recognising the Governing Body’s vital role in shaping the next phase, we are committed to working collaboratively to deliver the best outcomes for Auckland and the country,” Sautner said.

“Eden Park 2.1 is a high-value, high-benefit opportunity for Auckland and New Zealand. It makes the most of existing infrastructure, leverages the City Rail Link which opens in 2026, and delivers social, cultural, and economic benefits quickly and at scale.

“Since 2011, Eden Park has contributed more than $1 billion in GDP to the regional economy. Named International Venue of the Year in 2023, Eden Park is a hybrid, multi-purpose stadium that continues to be both a strategic asset for the nation and a community cornerstone for Auckland.

“Globally, there is a growing focus on repurposing and upgrading existing infrastructure. Eden Park is already a highly valuable asset – and with the staged upgrade, we will ensure it remains a highly utilised venue that delivers world-class experiences and continues to create unforgettable moments for future generations.”

has welcomed today’s decision by Auckland Council’s Governing Body to support the recommendation for a staged approach to delivering Eden Park 2.1 as part of the Main Stadium REOI process.

Eden Park Trust Board Chair, Kereyn Smith said the decision was important for Auckland and the future of the country’s national stadium.

“Today’s decision is a pivotal step toward securing the long-term future of Eden Park as New Zealand’s national stadium. The staged approach gives us the certainty to plan, the flexibility to deliver, and the ability to respond to the needs of Aucklanders and New Zealanders alike,” Smith said.

“Eden Park 2.1 is a smart, staged investment that delivers high-impact returns for both Auckland and the nation. It’s practical, future-focused, and leverages existing infrastructure to achieve lasting outcomes. We look forward to working with both Auckland Council and central government to make this opportunity a reality.”

Councillors voted 17-2 with one abstention (Mike Lee) to endorse in principle a staged redevelopment of Eden Park as the best and most feasible option for a fit-for-purpose main stadium.

Eden Park is getting support from several councillors, including Cr John Watson, Wayne Walker and Shane Henderson, who chaired the working group looking at options for a main stadium.

Henderson said it is time to put the stadium debate to bed and walk out of the Town Hall with one preferred option and more certainty for Aucklanders. 

"Let's get behind it, let's back it."

Cynicism is creeping into the issue with Crs Chris Darby and Maurice Williamson grilling Max Hardy over a lack of information and the point of the exercise.

Darby said there were a lot of unanswered questions in the council report, such as whether there is a proposal from Eden Park to pay back a loan of $48m to the council.

Williamson said: “What the hell are we doing here... We can’t stop somebody else going ahead and not doing something they want to.”

Max Hardy said the two parties have engaged in the process because they see value in endorsement from the council, and it puts the council in a position for its plans, and have discussions with Eden Park and the Government.

There appear to be no representatives from Eden Park or the Te Tōangaroa consortium for Quay Park at the public meeting being held in the Auckland Town Hall.