Banks throws 2011 Cup plans into turmoil

Prime Minister Helen Clark says she will wait for the dust to settle from local body elections before debating who should fund the upgrade of Eden Park for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Auckland's new mayor John Banks says he will not honour the last mayor's undertaking to pay $30 million towards the $190 million redevelopment of Eden Park.

Mr Banks' crushing win over Dick Hubbard threatens serious ramifications for the proposal to boost the stadium's capacity to 60,000 - the International Rugby Board's stipulated minimum capacity for a semifinal and final venue.

A key platform of Mr Banks' successful campaign was opposition to Auckland City Council ratepayers contributing directly to the massive reconstruction programme.

Mr Banks said Auckland City Council welcomed the World Cup and was willing to help pay for some of the infrastructure needed around the stadium, but that was it.

"The Government with a $2.6 billion cash surplus this year should fund the interior and the grandstand upgrade," Mr Banks told Radio New Zealand.

If other Auckland councils and the rugby union agreed to contribute, Mr Banks said he may reconsider.

"It is a matter of equity," Mr Banks said.

Miss Clark told TVNZ this morning she would "wait for the dust to settle" before entering into debate with the new council.

"There's a lot of continuity on the Auckland City Council and many people there who were supportive of the city putting its hand up," Miss Clark said.

"It is a matter of what's fair. What is fair to all New Zealand's taxpayers. What is fair to Auckland."

Mr Banks opposes spending the $30m, given the Government has just announced a budget surplus and offered to open the chequebook for $1 billion to build a waterfront stadium last year.

Miss Clark said there were many calls on the Government's money, ranging from health spending to cutting taxes.

Mr Banks has the numbers to block Eden Park spending because the right-wing Citizens and Ratepayers ticket won 11 of the 19 council seats.

Auckland Issues Minister Judith Tizard told NZPA the city was at risk of missing out on hosting the major matches of the sport's next global showcase.

"The Government has made it very clear that it cannot spend taxpayers' money on what is a private trust," she said, describing Auckland city's contribution as absolutely vital.

"I'm anxious to see what the council's solution will be. There is an issue to be dealt with."

Ms Tizard floated the possibility of Christchurch's AMI Stadium as an alternative for the semifinals and final, even though the old Lancaster Park's planned $60m refurbishment will leave it significantly short of the required 60,000-seat capacity.

The demolition of Eden Park's south and southwest stands is scheduled to begin next August.

- NZPA