Alcohol advertising to be reviewed for cricket matches
Saxton Oval is set to host three international cricket matches this summer. Photo: Supplied.
Nelson City Council is set to continue engagement with Central Districts Cricket and New Zealand Cricket to reach an agreement on alcohol advertising for three international cricket matches at Saxton Oval this summer.
Last week, all three matches were put in doubt when councillors voted seven to five against allowing an exemption to its advertising rules for the venue, which is jointly owned with Tasman District Council.
The council says that alcohol advertising at Saxton Field is inconsistent with the Saxton Field Reserve Management Plan 2021, which states it shall not be permitted apart from the price and product schedules at point of sale.
But, Asahi Beverages NZ is one of 12 commercial sponsors of New Zealand Cricket, which gives them the right to advertise their product at venues.
On Thursday, however, the council approved an exemption to the Saxton Field Management Plan to allow alcohol advertising at the three matches, which are scheduled for 20 December and 22 and 24 March.
Council directed staff to reach an appropriate agreement on alcohol advertising, with a strong preference for no alcohol advertising.
Acting Nelson Mayor Rohan O’Neill-Stevens describes the engagement with the cricketing bodies as “common-sense conversations aimed at minimising alcohol harm while retaining the popular sporting events”.
“Our conversations have been positive, and we’re looking forward to welcoming the matches to Whakatū,” he says.
“The issue of alcohol advertising at sporting events is an important wider conversation for the country and one we welcome.”
Public tickets are due to go on sale on 1 November for the One-Day International (ODI) between the Blackcaps and Bangladesh on 20 December at Saxton Oval. The match will be the first ODI at the oval for five years, and a potential series decider for the Blackcaps and Bangladesh as the second fixture in a three-match series.
New Zealand’s White Ferns are then set to play two big T20 Internationals at the oval against England on 22 and 24 March.