Selwyn ratepayers won’t have to pay to keep Christchurch stadium running
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. Photo: Christchurch City Council
Selwyn ratepayers will not have to contribute to the running costs of Christchurch’s new stadium.Selwyn ratepayers will not have to contribute to the running costs of Christchurch’s new stadium.
Venues Ōtautahi, which manages Christchurch City Council-owned sports and hospitality facilities, has ruled out district ratepayers across Canterbury contributing to the cost of operating One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha.
It has instead developed a commercial model that will cover the cost of running the stadium.
While Christchurch City Council made no formal request for funding from neighbouring councils, the option had been proposed to offset the cost of maintaining the facility.
But Venues Ōtautahi has proposed a ticket levy for people living outside the city in its financial models.
Said Venues Ōtautahi chief executive Caroline Harvie-Teare: “The assumptions underpinning the ticket levy are still being worked through and this is a draft placeholder at this time.”
She said by June 30, Venues Ōtautahi should have a clearer idea of how the ticket levy could work.
“When Venues Ōtautahi release our final FY26-28 statement of intent, we will be in a position to confirm further information with respect to the assumptions underpinning the ticket levy.”
She said the need for a rates contribution was based on old financial modelling without sponsorship agreements, such as the naming rights deal with One New Zealand.
Selwyn Mayor Sam Broughton said the fairness of a ticket levy will depend on the details of the proposal.
“It’s important to keep in mind that all taxpayers in New Zealand have contributed to the funding of the stadium through central government funding,” Broughton said.
“Any decision on a ticket levy should consider these contributions, the broader impact on those attending events, and the fact that we don’t ask Christchurch residents to pay more when they use Selwyn facilities.”
• Meanwhile last week the Selwyn District Council approved a letter which will be sent to the Canterbury Museum Trust, opposing its request for $1.94m in extra funding to cover the museum’s $247m redevelopment project. The district council will already contribute $6.3m over the next four years to the Christchurch-based museum.