NZ Eyeing International Names

International and local acts have two more venues to play in New Zealand.

A 17,000-seat temporary stadium will be built by March 2012 at Rugby League Park in Christchurch, which is recovering from a series of devastating earthquakes.

The NZ$20 million (US$15.56 million) cost will be borne mostly by the NZ government, with $5 million ($3.89 million) coming from the Prime Minister’s earthquake fund. It will be used until a decision is made on the fate of AMI Stadium, which was damaged in the February quake.

“This new outdoor venue means that we can get back in the game to pitch for events to international promoters,” said Christchurch promoter Neil Cox of Big Deal Productions.

Other promoters including Campbell Smith and Chugg Entertainment’s Manolo Echave confirmed they would look at including Christchurch, the country’s second-largest city, on future tours as a result.

And in Rotorua, Brendon Gilbert and Pato Alvarez have set up a new nightclub, Heaven and Hell, hoping to attract international and high-profile NZ acts to the area.