Government Unlocks Eden Park’s Future With Major Planning Reforms

The Government is moving to secure Eden Park's future as a premier national and international events destination, announcing major reforms to outdated planning rules that have long restricted the stadium's full potential.

RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop says the changes represent a significant step forward for Auckland's economy and New Zealand's ability to attract world-class concerts, sporting fixtures, and major cultural events.

"Eden Park is New Zealand's largest stadium, with a capacity of around 50,000. Yet for years it has been held back by overly restrictive planning settings that were out of step with how modern stadiums operate globally," Mr Bishop says.

"By modernising these rules, we are enabling Eden Park to deliver more major events, more jobs, and more economic growth for Auckland and the entire country."

Planning Rules Overhauled After Investigation and Public Consultation

The announcement follows a Government investigation launched late last year into whether Eden Park's planning framework was unnecessarily limiting its ability to host major events.

That investigation, which included public consultation in November, concluded the existing rules were:

• overly restrictive

• outdated compared with modern stadium standards

• directly constraining economic activity and investment

The Government has now accepted all recommendations in full, with technical amendments reflecting feedback from Auckland Council.

"These common-sense reforms will allow Eden Park to operate like the world-class stadium it is," Mr Bishop says.

Major Expansion: More Concerts, More Events, More Opportunity

Under the new settings, Eden Park will be able to host significantly more concerts and events as permitted activities, removing the need for resource consent in many cases.

Key changes include:

• Up to 12 large concerts per year

• Up to 20 medium-sized concerts per year

• Removal of the previous restriction limiting concerts to six different artists or acts

This reform opens the door for Eden Park to host a broader calendar of entertainment, from global touring acts to large-scale festivals.

Beyond Music: Wider Range of Events Now Enabled

The changes also expand the types of events Eden Park can host, supporting Auckland's growing role as a cultural and tourism hub.

New permitted activities include:

• exhibitions and displays

• markets, fairs and trade fairs

• cultural celebrations

• community events

This diversification strengthens Eden Park's ability to operate as a year-round venue rather than a limited-use stadium.

Longer Event Hours and Greater Flexibility

The new rules also modernise operational limits to better reflect international standards.

Under the updated framework:

• Concerts may occur on any day of the week

• Events must finish by 11pm

• Concerts can run for up to eight hours, up from current limits of five hours on weekdays and six on Saturdays

Night-time sporting events will also be expanded.

Night Games Allowed Any Day, Restrictions Removed

Eden Park will now be able to host night sports matches on any day, including Sundays, provided noise standards are met.

The reforms remove:

• caps on the number of night games per year

• limits within a 35-day period

• restrictions on day-night cricket matches

This ensures Eden Park can respond to scheduling demands from international sporting bodies and broadcasters.

Tourism and Economic Impact: Events Deliver Millions

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says the reforms will help New Zealand compete globally for major events.

"We know big events deliver real returns," Ms Upston says.

Over a three-year period:

• 14 Auckland stadium shows

• including Coldplay and Pearl Jam

• attracted 490,000 attendees

• generated $33.7 million for the local economy

"These changes complement the Government's $70 million events and tourism investment package announced in September, aimed at attracting world-class events and strengthening New Zealand's visitor economy."

A Win for Auckland and New Zealand

Auckland Minister Simeon Brown says Eden Park is critical infrastructure for the city and the country.

"This is a significant win for Auckland and for New Zealand. Strengthening Eden Park's ability to host major events supports jobs, local businesses, and Auckland's position as a world-class destination."

Implementation Timeline

The new planning settings are expected to be fully in place by April 2026, marking a major milestone in Eden Park's long-term development.

"These reforms will unlock Eden Park's full potential and deliver more opportunities, more activity, and more economic benefits for Auckland and New Zealand," Mr Bishop says.