Pros versus cons: Why Australia will likely never host a FIFA World Cup
The stadiums are built, the fans would come, and the sums could be made to work — the obstacle is the bidding process itself.
Grant McLachlan
11 hours ago8 min read
Auckland’s stadium decision is non-sensical — and the rest of the country is just as bad
We are about to spend more public money on more single-use stadiums to host fewer events for fewer people. Melbourne worked out the answer twenty-six years ago.
Grant McLachlan - Column
Apr 294 min read
Going out — but staying home
New Zealanders eat out as often as Melbournians and drink as much. So why are the cinemas, stadiums, concerts and racecourses emptying out? The answer is not just money. It is time, fuel, congestion and exhaustion.
Grant McLachlan
Apr 2721 min read
The naming rights fire sale
New Zealand taxpayers and ratepayers have wasted more than a billion dollars building three stadiums — and handed the corporate branding rights away for what amounts to small change. There were better options - demonstrated in Melbourne and Los Angeles - but nobody in this country took notice.
Grant McLachlan
Apr 2537 min read
The rot in New Zealand sport hosting
This is the story of an attitude problem masquerading as an economics problem.
Grant McLachlan
Apr 2416 min read
Dopey economic theory causing social decline
The Herald headline read "Auckland Council golf courses a $2b-plus development bonanza." Here is the column challenging it.
Grant McLachlan - Column
Oct 14, 20204 min read
Christchurch-Queenstown Winter Olympics could fix a lot of problems
The original article can be found here. A Russian speed skating team at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games. Grant McLachlan argues that many facilities such as speed-skating rinks, luge tracks and ski-jumping towers are prefabricated, making it easy to dismantle and re-use them after an Olympics. As the first snow of the season dusts Canterbury skifields, GRANT McLACHLAN says the time is ripe for the South Island to dream big and host a Winter Olympics. OPINION: When a
Grant McLachlan - Stuff - Column
May 18, 20164 min read
For and against: Waterfront stadium
Original article can be found here. A waterfront stadium could synergise Central Auckland, creating an entertainment hub that would complement neighbouring arenas, theatres, museums, conference venues, accommodation and tourism districts. If integrated with infrastructure, it could solve a backlog of problems. The favoured location for the stadium is Bledisloe Wharf - the same wharf Ports of Auckland wish to extend. Across the road from Britomart, it is at a major choke point
Grant McLachlan - New Zealand Herald - Column
Mar 18, 20163 min read
