Iconic Auckland venue renamed: Viva la ‘Western Springs Bowl’

It has been a transformative few years for Western Springs Stadium in Auckland. 

In 2024, the council began inviting expressions of interest to unlock the natural amphitheatre's ‘true potential’, after a taste of concerts from big hitters like Elton John and AC/DC.

Following public consultation, a new concept was approved this March, backed by $2.5 million from owner and cultural agency Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU). 

It features a semi-permanent stage and two new hospitality spaces capable of hosting up to 30,000 concert-goers, as well as provincial sport to the tune of 5,000 fans. 

Today, rova can reveal its official title is the ‘Western Springs Bowl’.

Venue partner Campbell Smith, from CRS, told rova the rebranding is necessary to distinguish between what once was, and what will be:

“To be able to go from ad-hoc shows, a speedway track and sharing the space in the summer - to have it given the name Western Springs Bowl and to be identified as a permanent concert space - is important,” he said. 

Concert Promoter Brent Eccles also spearheaded the project. Like Smith, he’s fond of the idea of Auckland getting its own outdoor music space, much like the Hollywood Bowl. 

“Putting a permanent stage in makes it a complete venue,” he explained. “And as far as promoters are concerned, you can do what they call a plug-and-play. You just come, put your gear on the stage, and you play. You don't have to build a stage, and that's quite attractive.”

The new name brings with it a logo, inspired by the shape of the amphitheatre, and ‘Te Wai Ōrea’, or ‘the waters of the eel’. TAU Chief Executive Nick Hill explained it ties into the cultural significance of the wider area;

“It has deep meaning for Mana Whenua in being the source of eels and fresh food, but also for Auckland. It was the source of water. It's also quite a unique ecological part of Auckland with the springs flowing through the wetlands to the harbour.”

As is the case with substantial change, not everyone supports the new design in its entirety. 

The Western Springs Speedway Association (WSSA) is still fighting a controversial decision to shift the sport away from its home after nearly 100 years. 

In 2024, TAU and Auckland Council agreed to consolidate speedway events at Waikaraka Park in Onehunga. WWSA filed for a High Court judicial review of the decision, and is expecting results at the end of the year.

It also filed an urgent injunction to stop construction on top of the existing Western Springs track - pending the High Court’s decision - but was unsuccessful. In the below image, you can see a ring where the track once was.

In a post online, the WWSA said both court and council believe no permanent works are planned that inhibit speedway's ability to return in the future, which aligns with its wishes. But it will continue to advocate for a plan to reinstate the speedway in Western Springs, its home since 1929.

When asked about division, Nick Hill told rova he remains fully confident in the new design.

“It's quite a process that we've been through to get to this point. There's been a lot of debate and a lot of heat and some light. But I’m very sure that this is the right thing.”

“We're not spending huge amounts of money. It'll make a big difference. It'll help lower the cost to promoters, so we will get more events here. And it's making use of the ground in both the winter, and in summer,” he continued.

The middle ground has been claimed by Ponsonby Rugby Club, which was able to secure a five-year lease of the site. 

Chairman Greg Edmonds said while they’d appreciate another 30 or 40 years, the result is still welcome. 

“Our rugby club's been around for 151 years, so we're not going anywhere in a hurry and we need facilities to foster the game for the kids of the next generation. But it's a start in terms of moving forward on operating jointly with the concert promoters at Western Springs Bowl.”

After some debate, he’s sure the stage will be embraced as multi-purpose, through a bit of kiwi ingenuity. 

“Only at the very last minute did someone mention, ‘Well, maybe when the winter sports are on, we could put a marquee up on top of the stage.’ And all of a sudden, it clicked; that would be a very, very good spectator experience for VIP hosting and the general public if they've got access to an elevated viewing platform right on the sideline of rugby.”

According to TAU, the sporting configuration of the upgrade project will be done in early August, in time for Auckland Rugby to take on Wellington. The event on the eighth will be the first at the newly named venue. 

Concert upgrades, including the installation of the new stage and hospitality facilities, are on track to end in October.

Hill is expecting to make some more announcements on that in the near future.

There’s also a brand new Western Springs Bowl website, featuring venue information, upcoming events, and an option to sign up for priority access to event tickets.

Photos provided