We built a multi-function events centre at Okara Park in Whāngārei which opened in June 2010. It has a larger capacity than the previous facility as well as a conference and function centre and changing rooms, food and retail facilities.
Northland Events Centre from Big Fish Creative on Vimeo.
A Northland Events Centre was initially proposed for Northland in 2004. A team of consultants was awarded a contract to investigate the feasibility of the proposal.
A telephone survey of Northlanders' opinions was undertaken in March 2005.
Provision was included in the Regional Council’s 2005-2006 draft budget. However, following a large number of public submissions for and against the proposal, we announced in June 2005 that we would not be funding a multi-use events centre that year.
We did resolve, though, to continue investigations into the “use, location, funding and ownership management structure of a regional multi-events centre”, and to incorporate an amended proposal on the stadium into its proposed long term plan for 2006-2016.
In March 2006, a revised proposal was considered which would have a lesser impact on individual rates bills.
The proposal for the Regional Council to part-fund the centre was included in our Community Plan 2006 – 2016.
Our Councillors voted in May 2006 to go ahead with the part-funding for the project.
In October 2006, resource consent was granted by the Whāngārei District Council to redevelop Okara Park and construct and operate a multi-use outdoor stadium. Some specific conditions were attached to the consent.
You can read the full consent report and conditions from the Whāngārei District Council website:
www.wdc.govt.nz/resources/9512/DecisionOnEventsCentreResourceConsent.pdf
In November 2006, Whāngārei District Council, Northland Regional Council and the Northland Rugby Union reached agreement on the content of the Deed of Trust, signalling a way forward for the proposed Okara Park Events Centre. The Deed was sent to Inland Revenue for confirmation that the Trust will qualify for charitable status.
In mid-2007, seven people were confirmed as trustees for the proposed regional events centre in Whāngārei and the trust had input into the design process, including commissioning initial designs.
In mid-2008 the Northland Regional and Whāngārei District Councils called for expressions of interest for the proposed events centre, asking contractors to look at the project on a design-build basis, with spending capped at $16 million.
A contract with Argon Construction was finalised and construction of the events centre began in early 2009.
The new Northland Events Centre was completed in May 2010 and opened in June 2010.
Where is the new Northland Events Centre?
The Northland Events Centre is located at Okara Park, Okara Drive, Whangarei.
Visit the Northland Events Centre website
View location on Google Maps