After a record-setting year, capped by three — count them, three — consecutive Ed Sheeran concerts, Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium seemed a shoo-in for a prize. But it was not to be. Now Chris Morris tries to make sense of a world gone mad.
What an outrage.
Forsyth Barr Stadium has been pipped at the post by a roofless imposter in Hamilton.
The southern stadium - with its spectacular see-through roof - seemed a sure bet to pick up the gong for the best venue 2018 at the New Zealand Events Association awards in Auckland on Tuesday night.
Dunedin's stadium was a finalist after hosting three consecutive Ed Sheeran concerts, which together pulled in 110,000 fans and pumped $38million into the city's economy.
Up against it was FMG Stadium Waikato - has anyone even heard of it? - which, for the first time, staged some international sevens rugby event previously held down the road in Wellington.
Oh, and a rugby league match.
But in a howler of a decision, worthy of a wonky TMO's call, Stadium GMF Waikato was declared the winner.
That was despite early teething problems on day one of the sevens, and the gaping void where a roof should be, leaving players and fans alike exposed to Hamilton's bone-chilling elements.
An awards spokeswoman said it had been ''a really close one'' between the two venues, but the judges favoured Hamilton's ''collaborative 'one team' approach'' in delivering two successful events.
Asked if he was shocked or outraged, Dunedin Venues chief executive Terry Davies - possibly still processing his emotions - would only say by email his team was ''naturally disappointed''.
He was ''extremely proud'' of the effort in staging three Ed Sheeran concerts, but sent his congratulations to Waikato Stadium MFG.
''They are doing a great job rejuvenating the sevens,'' he said, without a hint of sarcasm.
There was some justice for Dunedin Venues, though, as its event operations manager, Brenna McCann, was named as the best emerging event professional.
The award - surprise, surprise - recognised her efforts working on the Ed Sheeran concerts, hosted inside Dunedin's stadium. You know, the one with the roof.
Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow won the award for best national event and was also - by public vote - declared New Zealand's favourite event of the year.
