After nearly a century at Western Springs, Auckland’s speedway will move to Waikaraka Park in Onehunga following a contentious council decision.
The Auckland Council voted 11-8 to invest $11 million in critical upgrades at Waikaraka Park, preparing it for speedway from the 2025-2026 season.
The $11m will be transferred from Tataki Auckland Unlimited (TAU) to the Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board, which is responsible for Waikaraka Park and supports moving speedway to Onehunga.
The move has faced opposition from motorsport supporters and was complicated by council missteps, with contradictory reports about stakeholder support and a last-minute retraction of Speedway New Zealand’s purported backing.
Mayor Wayne Brown and other council members highlighted that Western Springs speedway is financially unsustainable, running at a loss and limited by planning constraints.
While the move to Waikaraka Park, an area without the noise issues of Western Springs, was described as a reasonable compromise, critics called the process disorganised and disrespectful of the sport’s legacy. TAU’s ongoing discussions about future uses of Western Springs include potential partnerships with private operators, like Auckland FC.
