MEDIA RELEASE: Eden Park dips its toes in agricultural industry

Following a hugely successful 2017 including the DHL New Zealand Lions Series and this year’s day/night Test cricket, 2018 is already delivering more memorable moments at New Zealand’s national stadium.

As newly appointed Chief Executive Officer Nick Sautner takes the reigns, the Australian has maintained the key to commercial success is diversification. Under this leadership, the stadium will embark on its first experience grazing sheep on the hallowed turf.

A flock of 10,000 Perendales will be shipped into the stadium in the coming weeks, in a bid to expand The Eden Park Trust’s annual revenue streams and leverage from the country’s largest stadium.

CEO Nick Sautner says, “We live and breathe sporting history here, day in and day out. That’s the Kiwi spirit. But we also realise the meat industry is one of New Zealand’s biggest export earners and we want to be part of that to help our bigger plans for Eden Park come to life.”

Sautner says this venture will bolster the half a billion dollar stadium’s overall goal of greater usage to provide sustainability and maintain the first class surface, “The All Blacks are arguably unbeatable at Eden Park, New Zealand’s national stadium.

We want to harness the blood, sweat and tears poured into this nutrient rich pasture and deliver an unbeatable taste.”

Turf Manager Blair Christiansen says a lot of research and crop advice was sought before committing to the new endeavour, “Some Kiwis might ask questions but we know it’s a win-win for us. We opted for Perendales because we know they’re maintainable in our inner-city climate, they’re easy-care lambs and raised primarily for consumption.”

Thought has also been given to the Eden Park Neighbours Association and following consultation with supporters’ club ‘The Hood’, decision makers carefully eliminated poultry farming to ensure noise levels were at a minimum. 

With demand and pricing for mutton at an all-time high, Eden Park Lamb will be exported towards the beginning of spring.

ENDS

For more information:

Greta Lawson, Communications, Eden Park

glawson@edenpark.co.nz