Eden Park reopens ready for RWC 2011
11 Oct 2010
A refurbished Eden Park reopened yesterday (10.10.2010), and more than 18,000 rugby fans helped mark the huge milestone for the historic Auckland sports ground.
The refurbished stadium - New Zealand’s largest - was opened by Prime Minister Mr John Key after a three-year, NZ$240 million makeover.
Eden Park will be the centrepiece of next year’s Rugby World Cup games, hosting nine matches including the final, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies.
Four giant tekoteko Māori carvings were unveiled as part of the opening. The tekoteko, which guard the grounds, received a dawn blessing from the local Māori people.
Carvings welcome visitors
The four three-metre high wooden tekoteko sit on three-metre high stone plinths, and stand guard over each of the four public entrances to the new stadium.
The carvings depict four guardians of the natural world: Tanemahuta, the spirit of the forest, Tumatauenga, the god of war, Rongo, the god of peace and Tawhirimatea, the god of wind.
Eden Park’s new tekoteko were carved at Whakatane and Rotorua by a group of carvers headed by lead carver, Arekatera Maihi, who also designed the pieces. The statues were shrouded till the official opening day, when they were unveiled for the first time to the public.
Grant Hawke, the chairman of local hapu Ngati Whatua o Orakei, said that the iwi / tribe members were honoured to have been involved in the project.
"As mana whenua (people of the land) for central Auckland, we have a duty to offer manaaki (appropriate hospitality) and kaitiaki (protection) to visitors. These magnificent tekoteko symbolise that guardianship and the place Maori have in Aotearoa / New Zealand."
Legacy for all Kiwis
Eden Park’s gates opened to the public at 10am, and visitors had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see areas that would otherwise be closed to the public - such as inside the players’ changing rooms and underneath the grandstands.
There was a festive atmosphere with stalls selling candy floss, sausages and balloons, and kids kicking rugby balls on the hallowed turf.
Eden Park Trust board chairman John Waller said that the refurbished stadium was a legacy for all Kiwis.
"This is an iconic stadium with a proud history, and we’re very proud of what has been created here."
World’s eyes on NZ
Mr Key said that all the world’s eyes would be on New Zealand come 9 September, 2011 - the kickoff date for the Rugby World Cup.
"We’ll have at least 85,000 people coming from overseas, and a billion people watching the Rugby World Cup final when the All Blacks trounce one of those other teams, and when Sir Richard McCaw gets to lift the Webb Ellis trophy.
"This is going to be a huge event. This is the third-largest sporting event in the world, preceded by the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup."
Kiwi rugby league players
New Zealand rugby league team the Kiwis turned up to support the official opening of Eden Park.
Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney, captain Benji Marshall and seven other players joined in the festivities - ahead of the Four Nations double-header to be played at Eden Park on 6 November.
The Kiwis will play against Australia’s Kangaroos, with England taking on Papua New Guinea afterwards.
Eden Park upgrade
The major upgrade of Eden Park has included a new six-level, 21,500-seat South Stand, a new three-tier East Stand, and an increased area of covered seating.
An internal concourse has been developed to improve crowd flow and there have been major improvements to food and beverage outlets, toilets, corporate areas, team and media facilities.
Seating capacity has been increased to 60,000 and the stadium will host the finals, as well as the RWC opening and closing ceremonies.
Eden Park goal posts
Eden Park's former goal posts have been sold in a charity auction - in aid of the Canterbury earthquake appeal - and are said to be heading to France.
The posts have been purchased by one-time French 56-cap rugby player Franck Mesnel, who owns an international chain of clothing boutiques known as "Eden Park". Mesnel played for France in the 1987 Rugby World Cup final at Eden Park which was won by the All Blacks.
Mesnel paid NZ$15,050 for the 700 kg, 18-metre tall posts that stood at Eden Park for 50 years. It’s not yet known what Mesnel plans to do with his purchase.
More information
New look Eden Park opens on 10.10.10
Rugby World Cup 2011
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