Kia ora

I refer to your official information request dated 28 March 2026.

I am writing to inform you that we have transferred your request to Venues Ōtautahi.

The information to which your request relates is believed to be more closely connected with the functions of Venues Ōtautahi. In these circumstances, we are required by section 12 of the LGOIMA to transfer your request. We have informed Venues Ōtautahi and you will hear from them regarding your request.

Ngā mihi nui

Sean Rainey
Manager Official Information and Privacy Officer
Official Information Team
Te Ratonga Ture me te Manapori - Legal & Democratic Services
Christchurch City Council

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Dear Ry,

 

We acknowledge receipt of your request for official information under the
Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA)
relating to the naming rights agreement for One NZ Stadium.

 

Our detailed response is set out below.

 

1. Total value of the naming rights agreement

 

The naming rights agreement between Venues Ōtautahi Limited and
One New Zealand includes both financial consideration and associated
benefits provided over the full term of the agreement.

 

The breakdown of the naming rights fee, including the valuation of other
benefits available and the specific commercial assumptions underpinning
the agreement, is withheld under section 7(2)(b)(ii) of LGOIMA, as release
would be likely to unreasonably prejudice the commercial position of
One New Zealand and Venues Ōtautahi in current and future sponsorship
negotiations (or commercial negotiations with other parties) relating to
One New Zealand Stadium.

 

2. Annual payment schedule or structure

 

The naming rights agreement provides for both a fixed fee and a variable
component. The fixed annual fee payable in instalments over each year. The
variable fee depends on what other sponsorship rights One New Zealand
purchases from Venues Ōtautahi in any year.

 

The specific payment amounts are withheld under section 7(2)(b)(ii), as
disclosure would be likely to prejudice Venues Ōtautahi’s negotiating
position in relation to naming rights and commercial partnerships for this
and other venues.

 

3. Confidentiality provisions and legal basis

 

The naming rights agreement contains confidentiality provisions that apply
to the existence and terms of the agreement, namely:

 

“The parties agree to keep the existence and terms of this Agreement, and
all information acquired by a party to this Agreement, strictly
confidential to themselves and their confidential advisors.”

 

While an exception applies “as required by law”, we consider the legal
basis for doing so is section 7(2)(b)(ii) LGOIMA, and that it does not
meet the public‑interest test in section 7(1).

 

4. Legal advice regarding disclosure obligations

 

Venues Ōtautahi has received legal advice from its external legal services
provider regarding its obligations under LGOIMA in relation to providing
the information requested on the naming rights agreement.

 

This legal advice is withheld under section 7(2)(g) of LGOIMA, as it is
subject to legal professional privilege.

 

5. Consideration of the public interest

 

In assessing your request, Venues Ōtautahi has considered the public
interest in disclosure, including the fact that One NZ Stadium was
predominantly funded through public investment.

 

Venues Ōtautahi acknowledges a legitimate public interest in transparency
regarding how value is derived from a major public asset.

 

However, against this we need to balance the need to protect commercially
sensitive details that could undermine Venues Ōtautahi’s ability to
generate future naming rights revenue for publicly owned venues. We
consider that further disclosure would likely reduce competition and
commercial returns in future negotiations, which would not be in the
public interest. It is important to note that Venues Ōtautahi does not
receive any operational funding from Council for the Stadium and/or any
other venues from 1 July 2026. Therefore, it is important that
commercially sensitive information about the naming rights agreement
remains confidential, so as not to prejudice Venues Ōtautahi’s ability to
generate revenue from this operational asset in the future. The recent
soft launch and pending official launch of the stadium means that this
information has a heightened sensitivity at this point in time.  

 

Taking these factors into consideration, we are satisfied that the
withholding of detailed commercial terms is justified under
sections 7(2)(b)(ii) and 7(1) of LGOIMA.

 

6. Approval of confidentiality provisions

 

The naming rights agreement, including its confidentiality provisions, was
approved by the Board of Venues Ōtautahi Limited, acting within its
delegated authority as the governing body of a Council‑Controlled
Organisation.

 

No elected members of Christchurch City Council were involved in
negotiating the commercial terms of the agreement[, however at a high
level the naming rights agreement was approved by the Council.

 

Ngā mihi

 

Caroline

 

Caroline Harvie-Teare

Chief Executive

Venues Ōtautahi

M +64 27 200 4707

 

 

 

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