Cricket: Pukekura Park snubbed from domestic T20 schedule

Will Johnston 

Pukekura Park has been removed from the domestic Twenty20 schedule as New Zealand Cricket followed through with its threat two years ago to blacklist the venue.  

The picturesque venue was not included as a Central Districts’ home ground during the shortened format after New Zealand Cricket (NZC) released the competition schedule.  

Instead, McLean Park (Napier), Saxton Oval (Nelson) and Fitzherbert Park (Palmerston North) are the selected home venues for the Stags and Hinds double header matches. 

Taranaki Cricket general manager Ryan Evans is disappointed the highly acclaimed venue won’t be part of the Christmas-New Year calendar this summer.  

“We really feel for our cricket-loving residents, long known for packing the park out for the big games, who won’t be able to enjoy Super Smash this year, and we will keep on fighting to return the park to what we believe is its rightful place in the eyes of the sporting world,” he said.  

The decision doesn’t come as a surprise as NZC sent a strong message to venue owners New Plymouth District Council (NPDC) in August 2022 over the state of its facilities, including changing rooms, training facilities and match official and media facilities. 

NZC has been open about Pukekura Park not having a warrant of fitness to host double-header matches due to the facilities not being able to host four teams. An exception was put in place last summer and temporary facilities were brought in.  

NPDC opted against an $8million development of a replacement for the Bellringer Pavilion, instead voting to allocate $3million from 2030 to investigate and carry out repairs to the existing building.  

Evans said while the councillors’ decision wasn’t directly responsible for the loss of Super Smash games this year, it was frustrating after years of inaction around the facilities, and meant it was always in danger of falling off the radar. 

He said it was back to the drawing board and Taranaki Cricket is now working on what steps it could take in the immediate future to bring the park up to scratch. 

However, the venue is suitable for one-day matches, where the Central Stags and Hinds will play seven matches across the Ford Trophy and Hallyburton Johnstone Shield, starting next month.  

Central Districts chief executive Lance Hamilton said he would hope the increased allocation of one-day matches would “soften the blow” for local fans.  

“Pukekura Park is renowned as one of the world’s most beautiful cricket grounds, and it’s also home to a highly knowledgeable crowd who enjoy supporting us year after year,” he said.  

NPDC managers of parks and open spaces Conrad Pattison didn’t comment on Pukekura Park losing T20 matches.  

He said Taranaki Cricket will operate a portacabin on-site for game officials during limited overs matches in the Ford Trophy and Hallyburton Johnstone Shield, which the venue retains.  

New Zealand Cricket has been approached for comment.  

Ford Trophy (Stags), Pukekura Park 

20 October: Central v Auckland
23 October: Central v Northern
23 February: Central v Wellington 

Hallyburton Johnstone Shield (Hinds), Pukekura Park

14 & 15 December: Central v Canterbury
8 & 9 February: Central v Northern