The New Zealand Olympic Committee announced it will assess Auckland’s ability to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games. The assessment would cost $325,000 and be largely funded by taxpayers.
Staff from the Commonwealth Games Federation subsidiary Events Knowledge Service would come to New Zealand to assess Auckland’s strengths and weaknesses to host the Games, with a feasibility report due in September.
A decision on whether to bid for the 2018 Commonwealth Games would be made in January.
Government sport funding agency Sparc spokeswoman Sue Eden said the cost of hosting the Games had not yet been worked out, but chief executive officer Peter Miskimmin said the assessment would give more information about the costs and benefits of holding the Games.
“Hosting a Commonwealth Games would provide substantial benefits for sport in New Zealand, and potentially major positive legacies in terms of infrastructure, volunteer base and participation”, he said.
