Auckland Cricket Welcomes Decision Supporting Development Plans For Colin Maiden Park

Auckland Cricket welcomes the decision of the Ōrākei Local Board to support a proposal to reinforce Colin Maiden Park as a regionally significant sporting precinct and home of cricket in New Zealand’s largest city for generations to come.

The proposal is underpinned by a $22.3 million investment that will be required to see Colin Maiden Park host Auckland Aces and Hearts matches, with the development to feature modern all-weather training facilities, broadcast infrastructure and the refurbishment of existing buildings to serve as Auckland Cricket’s offices.

“This is an important step towards securing a bright future for cricket in Auckland,” Auckland Cricket Association chief executive Ian Francis said.

“There is a lot more work to do – however it is fantastic to have the support of the Local Board for what is an extremely detailed, well-considered plan to transform the existing sporting precinct at Colin Maiden Park into a modern, future-proofed community asset capable of supporting high-performance cricket.”

Francis pointed to Auckland Cricket’s broader strategy for Colin Maiden Park to become a sport hub similar to Mt Maunganui’s Bay Oval, Hamilton’s Seddon Park and Christchurch’s Hagley Oval.

“This development not only meets cricket’s pressing immediate - and long-term - needs but represents a significant development both for the Ōrākei community and wider Auckland,” Francis said.

“We believe this proposal to develop Colin Maiden Park is a suitable option for the future of cricket in Auckland.

“The reality is that the Auckland’s sporting landscape is vastly different from what it was even 20 or 30 years ago, and with that has come new requirements for sporting organisations and stadia usage.

“Any major change such as this should be done in a way that it provides positive results for all parties involved – and this plan delivers that.

“Auckland Cricket looks forward to working with the Eden Park Trust Board, Council and our partners to meet the stipulations outlined by the Ōrākei Local Board in its support of the proposal.”

Ōrākei Local Board chair Scott Milne said: “It’s taken some time to agree on an arrangement that balances the needs of high-performance and community sport.

“But it’s been worth the wait, and we believe this deal is a win-win situation. Auckland Cricket’s investment will deliver high performance and also allow Ōrākei Local Board to upgrade other sports fields at Colin Maiden, and nearby, earlier than would have otherwise been possible.”

Eden Park Trust chair Kereyn Smith said: “We support today’s decision by the Ōrākei Local Board which marks a positive step forward for Auckland Cricket’s plans to develop Colin Maiden Park.

“We are committed to working with the Ōrākei Local Board, Auckland Council, Auckland Cricket, and New Zealand Cricket on a solution that complements the growth of the code across Auckland and the country.”

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