identity card : 1990 Commonwealth Games Auckland

The British Empire Games & Commonwealth Games each made significant contributions to the social and cultural history of Auckland City and region.

Both Games unquestionably offered development and aspirational experiences for Auckland athletes and opportunities for the country, city and individuals to gain international exposure and connections in addition to economic stimulus and the occasion to plan beyond the Games for long term neighbourhood benefit. In addition, the 1990 Games sought to showcase and celebrate the partnership of Maori & Pakeha. The extent to which the potential of all these elements was realized or missed is therefore of considerable importance in reviewing Auckland’s history.

Although the 1974 Christchurch Games were known as the “Emigration Games” – such a good experience a large number of visitors subsequently came to live in NZ – by contrast, the 1950 Games apparently copped the country much criticism for their dullness (e.g. the games village was at Ardmore, more than 20 miles from the central city). However, the 1990 Games added infrastructure to the city including the West Wave swimming centre in West Auckland, an upgraded Mt Smart Stadium (until the rugby field was extended for the Warriors), the Ardmore shooting complex (reclaimed by the Army in 2008 & currently being replaced), and the Manukau velodrome (still the only one in Auckland).