Dunedin Venues Management Ltd (DVML) chief executive Paul Doorn confirmed he was stepping down yesterday, pending a yet-to-be announced ‘‘exciting opportunity’’.
‘‘I will always be proud of my time in Dunedin and will remain an ambassador for this extraordinary city.’’
It comes at a time when there are expected changes in the New Zealand events market, with Christchurch’s Te Kaha One New Zealand Stadium opening soon.
DVML has announced a 10-year partnership with Ticketek, which would become the exclusive ticketing partner for the stadium and the Dunedin Centre, and prevent it going into direct competition with Ticketmaster in Christchurch.
Mr Doorn said he was leaving the stadium in an ‘‘exciting, if challenging’’ position.
‘‘I've always been very positive about what the pipeline's looking like.
‘‘So, whether that's the list of sorts of events that we're chasing or procuring or settling on ... some of the stadium initiatives around the curtain and the like.
‘‘Certainly, I think the organisation's in a good place.
‘‘But all events have all got a little bit of headwinds and I think we've just got some smart initiatives to overcome those challenges.’’
Mr Doorn said ‘‘multipurpose’’ had to be the mantra for the stadium.
‘‘So, whether that's been monster trucks last year — bringing in tons and tons of dirt to create a new product — or whether it's about working with local people like Wild Dunedin or others to start to look at opportunities for them building their own events inside the stadium, there have been, I think, some tremendous highlights.’’
The last major concert for the stadium was P!nk in March 2024.
Mr Doorn said there could be some good news over the next few months, but he might not be announcing it himself.
‘‘I don't finish until the end of May, but we've always said that we thought announcements would be coming in the June-July period.’’
‘‘So, the fact that I'm not here for that is great for the next person to hit the ground running.’’
Mr Doorn said even allowing for the fact the new Christchurch stadium was roofed, Dunedin’s had much to offer.
‘‘We get to see it week in and week out, the proximity of the seats to the playing field and the fact that it has a roof creates an atmosphere that no-one sees in other venues in Australia or New Zealand.
‘‘But there’s also huge scope for the community — we had more than 7000 come through the gates for Wild Dunedin on Sunday.’’
Mr Doorn was appointed to the role in October 2024 after a career in sports and venue management in Australia.
Last month, Dunedin city councillors voted to increase annual funding for the venue by $1.25m in 2026/27, to be followed by another $1.25m increase the following year.
It was a move described at the time by Cr Mickey Treadwell as ‘‘a bitter pill to swallow’’.
Councillors had earlier been warned keeping equity funding at the status quo risked sending Dunedin Stadium Property Ltd debt from $85m to $194m in 2060.
Dunedin City Holdings Ltd chairman Tim Loan said Mr Doorn’s departure was bittersweet.
Asked what sort of person they were hoping for as Mr Doorn’s replacement, Mr Loan said ‘‘someone like Paul Doorn’’.
‘‘I have been very, very happy with the work that Paul has been doing.’’
Cr Steve Walker also wished Mr Doorn well.
‘‘I thank him for all his mahi while at DVML, personally I think he'll be sorely missed.
‘‘I have little doubt that any potential events that may be announced in the coming months will likely be down to his hard work...
‘‘The recently announced ‘curtain system' will very likely provide benefits in terms of increased events ... should be grateful for his foresight.’’
Cr Mandy Mayhem wished Mr Doorn well and hoped his successor had enthusiasm and imagination.
Saturday’s events at the stadium, featuring local band Pearly*, a pitch choir and Don McGlashan showed the stadium could also work for smaller audiences or events, Cr Mayhem said.
‘‘I am sure [Don McGlashan] loved 1300 voices pitched back at him. It worked, I like it.’’
