Govt looks at hosting Commonwealth Games

On the eve of the opening of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, the Government has confirmed it is taking an early look at the possibility of hosting the Games at some point in the future.

Aotearoa last hosted the Commonwealth Games in 1990 in Auckland, and before that in Christchurch in 1974.

‘‘No decisions have been made about hosting a future Commonwealth Games,’’ said Minister of Sport Grant Robertson, who is en route to the United Kingdom and will attend the Birmingham Games later on his trip.

‘‘We are undertaking a preliminary analysis of the feasibility of hosting the Commonwealth Games at some point in the future.’’

No discussions have been held with Auckland’s cultural and economic agency Auckland Unlimited, which pitches for and stages major events in the city.

Auckland’s biggest recent hosting in terms of competitor count was 2017’s World Masters Games, which attracted 25,000 competitors to venues in the city and Waikato.

‘‘The hosting of the Games is a considerable undertaking and a lot of work will be required to carefully assess the benefits and costs associated with doing so before any further decisions are considered,’’ said Robertson.

Birmingham won the hosting rights to the 2022 Games with less than five years’ notice, after the previous host Durban, in South Africa, was removed due to financial difficulties.

It is estimated the 2022 Games will cost $1.4 billion to stage, with 75% of that coming from the British Government.

Auckland mayoral candidate Leo Molloy has talked up the idea of the city hosting the Games in 2034, and believes the next 12 years was enough time to clear wharf space for a waterfront stadium.

Molloy said the general cargo and vehicle trade could be moved elsewhere, and revenue from leasing the vacant land could contribute to the cost of a stadium.

The most recent major international event staged involving the Government and Auckland Council was the 2021 America’s Cup sailing regatta.

The event had to navigate through Covid-19 lockdowns, and in July won the Best Major or Mega Event award from the New Zealand Events Association.