Auckland could soon be home to New Zealand’s next great music and events destination, as Eccles Entertainment and CRS Records (CRS) back a transformative proposal to reimagine and enhance Western Springs as a world-class, multi-use venue that serves both community needs and the city’s commercial goals.
Brent Eccles, Director of Eccles Entertainment, says the plan responds directly to a long-standing gap in New Zealand’s concert, festival and live event infrastructure.
“There is a real need for a purpose-built live music venue that fills a space not provided for by Eden Park, Spark Arena or Go Media Stadium. Right now, we are missing a cost-effective, scalable outdoor site that can support everything from intimate to full-scale concerts and festivals,” says Eccles.
“Western Springs is uniquely positioned to be that venue. It offers natural beauty in a stunning amphitheatre, an historic performance setting, and the flexibility to host between 5,000 and 50,000 people. With the addition of a permanent stage and some basic complementing infrastructure, it becomes a world-class and financially attractive live performance asset.”
And musicians agree too.
"My first concert was at Western Springs in 1971,” says Neil Finn.
“Elton John on his first tour. I was so thrilled to play there in ‘92 with REM. I think it’s by far the best outdoor venue in Auckland.
“I am completely behind the proposal to preserve and further develop this as a concert venue. A major city like Auckland should have a beautiful dedicated space in the city that’s easy to get to where the very best of New Zealand and the world's entertainers can play. It’s an essential part of what makes a city hum, bringing people together to be uplifted by music."
The proposal is currently open for public consultation through Auckland Council’s AKHaveYourSay platform. It includes a fully integrated plan featuring a permanent stage in the bowl, a stage pad in the outer fields, upgraded seating for concerts and sports, and the ability to scale the venue for major outdoor concerts, festivals and events, using the natural amphitheatre of Western Springs and the broad, flat space of the outer fields.
This is the same site that has previously hosted legendary artists such as Bob Marley & The Wailers, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Elton John, Led Zeppelin, Stevie Wonder, Post Malone and Six60, and iconic festivals such as Big Day Out, Auckland City Limits and Laneway. Eccles Entertainment and CRS, which brought some of these more recent events to life, see this as the next step in the evolution of the venue.
Campbell Smith, owner of CRS, says, “Western Springs is a jewel in the heart of Auckland City, but it needs just a little smart investment. A key permanent infrastructure model that still retains and enhances the natural space and beauty of the venue means we can attract more international acts and festivals to New Zealand, deliver better production values, reduce setup and breakdown times and cost, and minimise impact on local residents.”
The proposal is being delivered in collaboration with Ponsonby Rugby Club and includes plans for a multi-sport community facility. This facility would offer modern clubrooms, space for netball, basketball, touch, and community fitness programs, as well as corporate hosting opportunities. And throughout, there would continue to be free public access to the Outer Fields.
“This is not just about big concerts and festivals. It is about creating a vibrant space that reflects Auckland’s identity – a place where culture, sport, and community come together,” says Smith.
Unlike a competing proposal that suggests replacing Western Springs with a private concrete stadium, this plan preserves the natural bowl structure, keeps the land in public hands, and ensures that community groups continue to have access at reasonable rates.
“We are not trying to replace what makes Western Springs special. We are trying to build on it. This proposal respects the environment, celebrates our creative history, and delivers something new for everyone,” says Smith.
Eccles Entertainment and CRS are calling on Aucklanders to show their support before submissions close on 15 June 2025 by visiting https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/
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