A controversial $402 million deal has been signed between the government and SkyCity to design, build and operate an international standard convention centre in Auckland.
In a statement Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce said construction will begin next year and the facility will open in 2017.
Following his statement Television New Zealand announced they had sold 93 Hobson Street building to SkyCity – just across the road in Auckland.
The convention deal has been bitterly fought with claims that SkyCity were given a special deal denied to others that could have built it.
As part of the deal, SkyCity has had its license that was due to expire in 2021 extended to 2048 and they will be allowed 230 extra pokie machiens and 40 extra gaming tables. A further 12 gaming tables that can be substituted for automated table game player stations and up to 17 per cent of pokie machines and automatic table games will be able to accept banknotes of denominations greater than $20
Simple cronyism to me; but I have a special hate for this kind of crap.
