11:20AM WT and Davis Langdon question New Zealand venue's original cost estimate

The cost of building a key stadium in New Zealand in time for the Rugby World Cup could almost double, a review has found. The government originally put the cost of the proposed building on Auckland’s waterfront at NZ$498m (£175m). But an estimate from WT partnership put a price tag of NZ$902m (£318m) on it.

This was broadly backed up by a peer review by Davis Langdon, which said the stadium would cost NZ$912m.

WT Partnership claimed several elements were missing from the government’s cost estimate, including:

  • 40 extra corporate boxes needed to meet IRB requirements
  • Corporate reserve seating fit-out
  • ICC cricket facilities including cricket practice nets
WT added that on top of the NZ$902m figure, transport improvements would be needed on two roads: Quay Street and Britomart. The firm said the figure also excluded possible compensation payments that might need paying to local businesses and residents.

The two QS reports reflect the principle that a stadium for more than 50,000 spectators costs around £3,160 per seat. WT said: “We challenge the (New Zealand) government’s cost per seat estimate of NZ$6,000 (£2,107).”

Source

QS News