Govt should ensure Million Babies goes ahead

National is calling on the Ardern-Peters Government to show leadership to ensure the Million Babies concert at Eden Park can proceed on Waitangi Day, National’s Economic Development spokesman Paul Goldsmith says.

The concert, proposed by Sir Ray Avery, would raise funds for the LifePod Trust and organisers believe only Eden Park has the size and catering facilities to make it a success.

“We support this event and urge the Government to do the same. It shouldn’t be so hard to organise an event that would benefit so many children in our city.

“Polling by UMR Research shows 87 per cent of local residents and 91 per cent of Aucklanders want the concert to proceed, but objections by a small minority of locals mean the matter will now be argued in the Environment Court, with no decision until October at the earliest.

“I understand that October will be too late to confirm the local and international acts for the show. Concerns are also being expressed, including by Sir Ray, about the cost of the Environment Court process.

“Jacinda Ardern and Winston Peters need to show leadership and step in and allow this concert to proceed.”

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