Mount Smart Stadium

Mount Smart Stadium (commercially known as Go Media Stadium) is a multipurpose stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the main home ground of the New Zealand Warriors of the National Rugby League, and occasionally hosts rugby union and international rugby league matches. Built within the quarried remnants of the Rarotonga / Mount Smart volcanic cone, it is located 10 kilometres south of the city centre, in the suburb of Penrose.

Mount Smart Stadium
Former namesMount Smart Stadium (1967–1995), (2007–present)
Ericsson Stadium (1995–2006)
Address2 Beasley Ave
Penrose, Auckland 1061
LocationAuckland, New Zealand
Coordinates36°55′6″S 174°48′45″E
OwnerAuckland Unlimited, Auckland Council (indirectly through Auckland Unlimited)
OperatorAuckland Stadiums (division of Auckland Unlimited)
CapacitySports: 25,000
Concerts: 47,000
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Broke ground1965
Opened1967
Tenants
New Zealand Warriors (NRL) / (SL) (1995–present)
Auckland Vulcans (NSWRL) (2008–2013)
Football Kingz (NSL) (1999–2004)
Counties Manukau Rugby Union (ITM Cup) (2006–2008)
Moana Pasifika (Super Rugby) (2022–present)

History
Big Day Out Double Stages, Auckland 2007

The Mount Smart Domain Board was established in 1943 with the purpose of transforming the former quarry site into a public reserve. In 1953, a plan was approved for a sports stadium which was officially opened in 1967. In 1978, it hosted 3 matches of the World Series Cricket tour of New Zealand. The stadium hosted track and field events including the highly successful Pan Am series during the early 1980s.

During the 1988 Great Britain Lions tour the Auckland rugby league team defeated the tourists 30–14 at Mt Smart before a crowd of 8,000. Mount Smart hosted its first rugby league international on 23 July 1989 when New Zealand and Australia played the third test of the Kangaroos 1989 New Zealand Tour. In front of 15,000 fans, Australia defeated the Kiwis 22–14 to wrap up the series 3–0.

The stadium was chosen as the Main Athletics Stadium as well as the opening and closing ceremonies venue of the 1990 Commonwealth Games. It was where the New Zealand men's national football team (the All Whites) played all their home qualifying games for the 1982 FIFA World Cup. This was the first occasion that New Zealand had qualified for a FIFA World Cup and the event captured the imagination of the nation with large crowds packing the stadium.

Adele holds the attendance record of the stadium, with 45,000 fans, who saw her play at Adele Live 2017.[1] Ericsson Stadium was the host of the Super League's 1997 World Club Championship Final between Australian teams the Brisbane Broncos and Hunter Mariners. In front of 12,000 fans, the Broncos defeated the Mariners 36–12. Ericsson Stadium hosted three-quarters of the 1999 Rugby League Tri-nations' games, including the final, which New Zealand lost 20–22.

The stadium is now owned by the Auckland Council, following the merger of Auckland's regional authorities and managed by Auckland Stadiums.[2] During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the back of the grandstand roof at Mount Smart was used for Bungee jumping. Following the first rugby league test at the stadium in 1989, Australian captain Wally Lewis and teammate Peter Jackson both 'took the plunge'.

Mount Smart Stadium also hosted the first standalone NRL Women's Premiership match between the New Zealand Warriors and St. George Illawarra Dragons on 22 September 2019.[3] The Dragons won this match 26–6.[4]

Naming rights
Panoramic image of Mt Smart Stadium in 2006

As of 12 July 2006, the stadium reverted to its original name, Mt Smart Stadium. In a press release, the Auckland Regional Council, owners of the stadium, stated they had considered other offers, but felt they did not suit. Auckland Regional Council did not actively pursue a replacement sponsor.

On 14 July 2017 the Stadium was temporarily renamed Manu Vatuvei Stadium for the Warriors vs Panthers game where the Warriors bid farewell to club legend Manu Vatuvei.

On 15 May 2023, the stadium became known as Go Media Stadium when Auckland Stadiums signed a naming rights deal with the advertising company.[5][6]

On August 18, 2023, the stadium was renamed Daniel Anderson Stadium for one day only as a fundraiser for former NZ Warriors coach Daniel Anderson who became an incomplete quadriplegic after a bodysurfing accident in 2022.[7]

Aerial view of the stadium

Tenants
The South Stand at Mt Smart Stadium, shot from the northern end of the stadium. Warriors Open Day, February 2005.

It currently serves as the home ground for the New Zealand Warriors in the Australian National Rugby League and NRL Women's Premiership. It is the former home of the Football Kingz of the Australian National Soccer League; however, its A-League successor, the now defunct New Zealand Knights, played on the other side of Waitematā Harbour at North Harbour Stadium.

In 2022, the Moana Pasifika Super Rugby team will start playing at Mt Smart.

The Athletics Ground (officially Mt Smart Stadium Number 2) hosts athletics meets, right down to Primary School Level. It also holds local rugby league matches and serves as the home ground for the Auckland franchise in the Bartercard Premiership.

Rugby league test matches

A list of rugby league test and World Cup matches played at Mount Smart Stadium.

Test#DateResultAttendanceNotes
123 July 1989Australia  def.  New Zealand 22–1415,0001989-1992 World Cup
1989 Trans-Tasman Test series
28 July 1990Great Britain  def. New Zealand New Zealand 16–147,8431990 New Zealand vs Great Britain series
320 June 1993New Zealand New Zealand drew with Australia Australia 14–1422,9941993 Trans-Tasman Test series
49 June 1995New Zealand New Zealand def.  France 22–615,0001995 New Zealand vs France series
518 October 1996New Zealand New Zealand def. United Kingdom Great Britain 17–1212,0001996 New Zealand vs Great Britain series
615 October 1999New Zealand New Zealand def. Australia Australia 24–2222,5401999 Tri-Nations
726 October 1999New Zealand New Zealand def. United Kingdom Great Britain 26–414,0401999 Tri-Nations
85 November 1999Australia Australia def. New Zealand New Zealand 22–2021,2041999 Tri-Nations Final
910 June 2001New Zealand New Zealand def. France France 36–04,500
1021 October 2005Australia Australia def. New Zealand New Zealand 28–2615,4002005 Tri-Nations
1114 October 2006Australia Australia def. New Zealand New Zealand 30–1817,8872006 Tri-Nations
1218 October 2008New Zealand New Zealand def.  Tonga 56–8
1316 October 2010New Zealand New Zealand def.  Samoa 50–611,512
1428 October 2017New Zealand New Zealand def.  Samoa 38–817,8572017 World Cup Group B
1525 November 2017England England def.  Tonga 20-1830,0032017 World Cup Semi-final
1613 October 2018 New Zealand def.  Australia 26-2412,763
1720 October 2018 Australia def. v  Tonga 34-1626,214
1822 June 2019 New Zealand def. v  Tonga 34-1423,6342019 Oceania Cup
1925 June 2022 New Zealand def. v  Tonga 26-620,766

Concerts

The capacity of the stadium for concerts is roughly 47,000 people. This can be expanded to 60,000 when the temporary north and south stands are installed. A list of concerts held at the stadium are included in the table below:

Mount Smart Stadium was the Auckland venue of the Big Day Out music festival until 2012. In 2014, Western Springs Stadium served as the venue for the festival in Auckland. Among the concerts hosted were Rainbow Warrior Benefit Concert (Greenpeace 1986) featuring multiple artists including Neil Young on acoustic guitar and Jackson Browne, Graham Nash, Topp Twins, Dave Dobbyn and a Split Enz reunion[49] within Mt Smart Stadium.

An album of Maori artists who came to support the aims of the Mt. Smart Stadium project was released in 1981.[50] It was called The Mauri Hikitia. It reached no 4 on the New Zealand charts.[51] It featured Rhonda, Ken Kincaid, Deane Waretini, and the Lightwood family.[52]

References
  1. "Adele's second show: Fans pour into Mt Smart". The New Zealand Herald. New Zealand. 25 March 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  2. "Regional Facilities". Auckland Council. 12 April 2011.
  3. "Dragons for Mount Smart NRLW game". New Zealand Warriors. 8 September 2019. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  4. Reive, Christopher (22 September 2019). "Rugby league: Warriors succumb to late Dragons surge in first NRLW home game". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  5. "Go Media secures Mt Smart Stadium naming rights". Auckland Stadiums. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  6. Long, David (15 May 2023). "Auckland Stadiums secures naming rights sponsor for Mt Smart Stadium". stuff.co.nz. Stuff Limited. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  7. "Warriors pay tribute to former coach". RNZ. 18 August 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  8. "Making their much-awaited return to Australia + New Zealand in February & March 2015". Frontier Touring. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
  9. "Foo Fighters". eventfinda.co.nz. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
  10. "Foo Fighter return to NZ". therock.net.nz. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
  11. Schulz, Chris (22 February 2015). "Concert review: Foo Fighters, Mt Smart Stadium". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
  12. "Eagles "History of the Eagles" Tour - 2nd Auckland show". scoop.co.nz. 19 June 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
  13. Cawley, Rose (15 March 2015). "Review: The Eagles in Auckland". stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
  14. Baillie, Russell (15 March 2015). "Concert review: The Eagles at Mt Smart Stadium". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
  15. "Eagles Live in Concert". The Sound. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
  16. "Fleetwood Mac". Under the Radar. 20 March 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
  17. "Fleetwood Mac". eventfinda.co.nz. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
  18. Jenkin, Lydia (21 November 2015). "Concert review: Fleetwood Mac, Mt Smart, Auckland". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
  19. "Second Fleetwood Mac concert for Auckland". stuff.co.nz. 1 April 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
  20. "Fleetwood Mac Live in NZ". The Sound. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
  21. "Ed Sheeran Announces Mt Smart Stadium Concert". eventfinda.co.nz. 30 April 2015. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  22. Bache, Rachel (13 December 2015). "Review: Ed Sheeran, Mt Smart Stadium". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  23. Yates, Siena (13 December 2015). "Review: Talented Ed Sheeran wows in tour finale in Auckland". stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  24. Aznuoni, Mario (19 May 2016). "Coldplay heading to Kiwi shores". stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  25. Slade, Maria (17 June 2016). "Secondary school athletics moved from Mt Smart because of Coldplay concert". stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  26. "New Tickets Released for Coldplay's Only New Zealand Show". scoop.co.nz. 8 November 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  27. "Coldplay is banning everything from backpacks to branded food to studded belts at their Auckland show". The New Zealand Herald. 2 December 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  28. "What to expect from this weekend's Coldplay concert in Auckland". The New Zealand Herald. 3 December 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  29. Hunkin, Joanna (3 December 2016). "Coldplay review: 'Joyful and bombastic'". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  30. Barratt, Nicole (4 December 2016). "Neil Finn surprise cameo at Coldplay's Auckland concert". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  31. Hurley, Bevan (4 December 2016). "Coldplay trip the light fantastic at Mt Smart Stadium". stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  32. Bamber, Shaun (13 September 2016). "Bruce Springsteen announces two NZ shows". stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  33. "Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band Returning To New Zealand". Under The Radar. 13 September 2016. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  34. "Bruce Springsteen announces NZ tour". NewsHub. 13 September 2016. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  35. "Bruce Springsteen returning to New Zealand in 2017". Newstalk ZB. 13 September 2016. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  36. "Bringing the Purpose World Tour to Australian & New Zealand stadiums in March 2017". Frontier Touring. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  37. "Justin Bieber is bringing his Purpose World Tour to New Zealand". stuff.co.nz. 4 October 2016. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  38. "Justin Bieber: NZ and Australian tour dates announced". scoop.co.nz. 4 October 2016. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  39. "Pop sensation Adele is coming to New Zealand for one show only". The New Zealand Herald. 18 November 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  40. "Adele to play Mt Smart Stadium in March 2017". Newshub. 18 November 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  41. "Adele announces one-off Auckland concert". stuff.co.nz. 18 November 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  42. "ADELE Live 2017 - New Zealand Tour Confirmed". scoop.co.nz. 18 November 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  43. "Adele's NZ tour 2017: Adele pre-sales sell out within 15 minutes". stuff.co.nz. 22 November 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  44. "ADELE - Live 2017 - second Auckland concert announced". scoop.co.nz. 23 November 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  45. "Adele – Live 2017 – Second Auckland Concert Announced". The 13th Floor. 23 November 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  46. "All three Adele NZ shows sold out". stuff.co.nz. 24 November 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  47. "GIG GUIDE - EVENT DETAILS". Under the Radar. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  48. "Paul McCartney announces New Zealand tour details". Newshub. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  49. "Rainbow Warrior music festival". NZHistory. History Group of the New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  50. National Library of New Zealand The Mauri Hikitia album (sound recording) / various artists.
  51. The Official NZ Music Charts 14 June 1981, CHART #287, Top 10 Compilation
  52. Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa Object: The Mauri Hikitia Album
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