On 22/07/2021, the Christchurch City Council voted in favour of reducing the capacity of the new Multi use stadium in christchurch from 30,000 seats to 25,000 seats.

The All Blacks require a seating capacity of 30,000 seats for all test matches, and if they are to be able to gain these games, the CCC or the individual will be required to pay more for each game played at the new arena.

This also includes being competitive on seating & capacity for large events, such as concerts, as we will be competing with Forsyth Barr Stadium for these events, and with a lesser capacity, it will severely damage our chances of gaining these events.

Jamie Gough, Sam McDonald, Phil Mauger, Aaron Keown & Catherine Chu all voted in favour of retaining the larger capacity and proposed the council approach other parties in order to secure additional capital.

The arena is significantly over budget, but the council has decided to cut the seating in order to cut the budget, despite no formal design having been started (a design brief has been completed only). 

There is a significant value of money going into cycleways ($180M), and simply deferring parts of that project (something that was previously voted on and rejected by council), would mean this arena would go ahead as original promised.

The decision by the previous national government to hand the design, and management of this anchor project over to the council, was and still is one of the worst decisions made in relation to earthquake recovery, and it is suggested that this anchor project should be handled by central government.

Christchurch wants and needs a stadium and an arena to be proud of, a stadium that the most successful provincial rugby team and super rugby franchise can be proud to play at, and for future generations to enjoy.