Stadium grandstanding

In the year ended June 2024, the Northland Events Centre (2021) Trust received an annual operating grant from the Whangarei District Council of $701,786 (2023: $662,786). Despite this grant, the Trust made an operating loss of $185,000, up from a loss of $45,000 the year before. The Annual Report says the lower numbers attending events is in part due to the closure of the Brynderwyns and “cost of living challenges” [like excessive rate increases!].

In the year to June 2024, the stadium hosted 14 major events  with a combined attendance of 45,795. Another 10,409 attended functions held in the lounges. Alarmingly, the cost to hold the events was more than the revenue generated.