Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

John Key’s SkyCity empire will suck Auckland dry

13 August 2014

John Key’s SkyCity empire will suck Auckland dry

John Key has gifted SkyCity the opportunity to create a gated empire in Auckland city where the casino can siphon off all the spending associated with a convention centre, while Auckland pays in increased gambling harm, the Green Party said today.

SkyCity has dramatically increased the scope of its planned Auckland convention centre, today announcing plans for a five star hotel and a 50 per cent increase in spending on the new project .

Plans include a 12-storey 300-room five-star Auckland hotel, new 6m wide pedestrian laneway to link Hobson St to Nelson St lined with shops and restaurants and an additional 570 car parks .

“John Key hand selected SkyCity for the Convention project and he alone will be responsible if SkyCity is allowed to funnel all the money international convention goers spend to its owners,” Green Party Co leader Metiria Turei said.

“This project could be even more of a goldmine to Skycity than anyone dreamed and even more of a disaster for Auckland than anyone could have predicted.

“Not only has SkyCity been allowed to expand its problem gambling business, but National has created the opportunity for SkyCity to create a gated empire in the middle of Auckland where all the money earned from conventions will be kept in its own coffers.

“Local shops and hotels will be bled dry by this gated gambling empire and these expansion plans must not be approved.

“Ministry of Economic Development analysis shows that 73 percent of all money spent by international convention attendees goes on the host city, and a whopping 97 per cent of that is spent on the convention fees, accommodation, food, entertainment and retail.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“The expansion of SkyCity will allow the casino company to soak up every single cent of that spending. No convention attendee will ever need to step foot outside of SkyCity’s gated empire.

“Let’s not forget John Key changed the law to allow SkyCity to significantly grow their gambling business off the misery of local problem gamblers. Officials warned families would be driven into poverty, crime and even suicide and thousands of kids would suffer as a result.

“This is a disaster for Auckland City and it shows again who National backs – big international businesses over New Zealand businesses and families,” Mrs Turei said.

Link to MED analysis on convention centre spend: http://www.med.govt.nz/sectors-industries/tourism/pdf-docs-library/tourism-research-and-data/other-research-and-reports/conventions-research-programme/convention-delegate-survey/CDS-YE-June-2012.pdf


© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.