Stoush over Western Springs Stadium continuing long after Auckland Council decision

Wednesday, 12 February 2025

Speedway New Zealand says they were blindsided by the decision, but Auckland's Mayor believes it's the best outcome for ratepayers. Stuff's Hannah Martin reports.

Western Springs Speedway manager hopes to end venue's time with a bang.

Save Our Speedway group aims to reverse council's decision to relocate racing.

Council voted 11-8 to spend $11 million on Waikaraka Park improvements.

Western Springs Speedway manager John McCallum hopes to end the sport’s time at the iconic venue with a bang, while the action group Save Our Speedway wants the council’s decision to relocate open-wheel racing to Waikaraka Park reversed.

On October 30, after probably the most heated governing body debate during Wayne Brown’s term as mayor, councillors voted 11-8 in favour of $11 million being spent on improvements at Waikaraka Park and moving all speedway events in the city to that venue.

But the story doesn’t end there. Save Our Speedway aims to force a reversal of that decision, believing proper process wasn’t carried out when the future of Western Springs was discussed at Governing Body meetings on October 24 and October 30.

Western Springs Stadium has been a home for speedway in Auckland for 96 years.

While Western Springs was the spiritual home of speedway McCallum believes that Waikaraka Park, with the $11 million that would be invested in it, gives the sport better longterm security.

“It's been a long time since there was any stability around the future of Western Springs,” he said.

“Back as far as most of us can remember, it's been closing for one reason or another, whether it be neighbour complaints, redevelopment or whatever.

“That makes it really hard to future-proof your sport, but if you can go to a home that's got a 30-year lease that is designated a motorsport precinct, it's not Western Springs, it never will be, but it is a home.”

Judicial review wanted

Jason Jones, from the Western Springs Speedway Association, who are behind the Save Our Speedway campaign, says they are preparing documents to apply for a judicial review.

Western Springs Speedway manager John McCallum believes speedway can have a secure, long-term future a Waikaraka Park.

“The decision is flawed with conflicts of interest, misrepresentation, and failure of process,” Jones said.

He says their preparation for a judicial review has been held up by slow responses to their LGOIMA requests to council.

“We will continue with our PR to inform the public about this absolute sham and put the spotlight on those responsible for it, during this election year, “ he said.

Jones says they don’t have an issue with McCallum or current promoter Bruce Robertson, who have both made it clear that they want out because of continual financial losses.

“Our fight's not with them, it's with the way that this whole entire process has been dealt with,” he said.

“Ultimately, we'd like a secure future for our sport. And the fact is, there are a lot of questions to be answered about the lack of transparency and the way the process has been conducted through council.”

TAU went public looking for expressions of interest (EOI) on what to do with Western Springs from June 7 to July 19 last year. Auckland FC put their hands up to say they were interested, but no one involved in speedway did.

“The process was short and low-key,” Jones said.

“The EOI did not mention speedway and TAU had told everyone that speedway was out of there. We currently know of three parties that are interested.”

However, on June 8, the day after the announcement from TAU, Save Our Speedway published on its Facebook page all the details about the EOI.

One of those who came forward after the deadline was Olna Ford who has teamed up with previous promoter Bill Buckley.

“I don't think anyone knew about the actual offering, which is why it's been a concern,” Ford told Stuff when asked why she got involved late.

“Had it been made publicly known, we would have all known and put our best foot forward,” Ford said.

Councillor John Watson revealed vital information from Speedway, New Zealand, asserting their lack of support for closing Western Springs Speedway. The letter clarifies misinterpretations regarding funding and ongoing investments at Waikaraka Park.

“So that was the reason, and we moved very swiftly before the actual town hall meetings. But it seems like people weren't communicating and we weren't allowed to speak at the town hall meeting.”

Million dollar losses

Robertson says he has lost $1 million over his five years as promoter of Western Springs. While TAU say because of the speedway bookings, they lose $1.1 million a year by not being able to use Western Springs for other events, like more concerts.

Jones says there needs to be more transparency around the financial details.

“It costs $12,000 a night to hire the stadium,” he said.

“Obviously, there are other costs, but the place runs on volunteers and sponsorship. If you're charging $50 a ticket with a minimum of 5000 people. It’s not hard to see a lot of money flow in.

“If TAU is not making money and the promoters aren't making money, who's making the money?”

Jones says he would like to be able to see what the crowd numbers are for speedway events at the stadium and also the costs for putting on meetings.

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited say it’s more profitable to have concerts, like last week’s Laneway Festival, at Western Springs, than speedway meetings.

“There needs to be transparency because we're told it's not viable, yet it has operated for almost 100 years,” he said.

“TAU redacts all attendance numbers and financials from stadia they oversee. These basics for any business decision-making process were not provided to councillors.”

A statement from TAU said it shared with the governing body ahead of the October meetings an assessment of the financial improvement that could be achieved at Western Springs with speedway consolidated at Waikaraka Park.

“As part of its statutory financial reporting obligations, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited is not required to develop separate financial statements for individual stadiums it operates, or the overall Auckland Stadiums business unit,” the statement said.

However, Jones says even if they were shown the financial statements, he still believes speedway could survive at Western Springs.

“Western Springs is viable. It is reliant upon the stadium management, promotion and the arrangement between, and capabilities of both,” he said.

“Waikaraka is not a viable option for the sport. Reduced crowd capacity, parking issues, loss of regular patrons and sponsorship is a financial death sentence. Some top speedway competitors have advised us that they will quit if speedway moves.

“Several long-term sponsors have already stated they will not continue due to the unviability.”

For McCallum, his focus is on the remaining three meetings of the season and giving Western Springs a great send-off.

“Whilst there's a group working for the survival of it at the moment, the only indication we have is that it will close on March 22 so we can only work towards that,” he said.

“What comes after that is a bit of a crystal ball gaze. But as far as our term goes, our venue hire agreement is up on March 22, that's the end of the line for us.”