Auckland with a new stadium. 43%
Hamilton with a new stadium. 29%
Wellington with a new stadium. 0%
Christchurch with new stadium. 29%
I was surprised with the Auckland vote and personally happy to see Hamilton in the mix.
My thoughts on why Hamilton?
1. Very little chance of seismic events and very mild weatherwise.
2. Government buys into the KiwiBuild programme for Games Villages to help with local council funding.
3 Once games finished housing is allocated to low income earners primarily from Auckland. Relocating families will ease the congestion in Auckland and boost Hamiltons economy.
4. In 2020 a new rail link opens for commuters between Auckland and Hamilton. Those folks getting housing can still keep their Auckland jobs.
It is also still only 96 minutes by road (carpooling maybe??)
The other benefits for Hamilton.
World class velodrome (Cambridge) and cycling roads.
World class rowing facility - Lake Karapiro (if offered)
Equestrian facilities(If required).
Needing to be built/constructed:
One Mega Auditorium complex housing:
Badminton
Squash
Judo
Gymnastics
Table Tennis
Boxing
Weightlifting
Wrestling
One new Aquatic centre.
Swimming
Diving
Main Athletics stadium (Government and Hamilton City council)
New Games village housing 5000 competitors (including Para-athletes) and as many officials.
One of the biggest pluses. Not only is Hamilton big enough but with 90 minutes from Auckland fair to say another revenue earner for the local economy with Auckland spectators. And of course the Rail Link will be operating.
