Quick Read
- Elderly attendees reported over an hour of delays for mobility transport at Eden Park’s Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo opening.
- A locked portable toilet and lack of seating added to distress for vulnerable patrons.
- Eden Park Chief Executive Nick Sautner denied significant delays, citing extensive planning and ample resources.
- The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, an international spectacle, is performing an unprecedented three-night run in Auckland.
- Despite access issues, the show itself received positive reviews for its performance and local flavor.
AUCKLAND (Azat TV) – Eden Park, New Zealand’s national stadium, is facing significant criticism following reports of extensive mobility access delays and distress experienced by vulnerable and elderly attendees during the opening night of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The highly anticipated international spectacle, making its unprecedented Auckland debut, was overshadowed for some by alleged logistical failures on Thursday, February 19, 2026, prompting a strong rebuttal from venue officials.
An anonymous woman, attending the event with friends, described a chaotic scene where scores of punters relying on electric cart transport through closed streets were left stranded for over an hour without access to toilets. She recounted her friend, who was on crutches, sitting by a bus stop in tears after attempts to walk to the stadium proved impossible. The woman, who has a toileting disability, also highlighted a locked portable lavatory on-site, raising concerns about potential medical emergencies.
“Lots of elderly people there with issues of mobility. There were only two carts going… we had stood in the line for easily an hour,” the woman told the NZ Herald, adding that organizers appeared “totally underprepared” for the older demographics of the crowd. She alleged traffic management workers directed her to complain directly to Eden Park officials about the mobility parking conditions, further complicating the situation for distressed patrons.
Eden Park Responds to Mobility Allegations
In response to the accusations, Eden Park Chief Executive Nick Sautner firmly stated that operations ran smoothly throughout the night, with no significant delays reported. Sautner emphasized that “extensive operational planning was undertaken in the lead-up to the event” and operational records confirmed that “patrons utilising mobility parking were transported to their gates in a timely manner, including during peak arrival periods.”
Sautner detailed the venue’s provisions for the event, which included over 300 mobility car parks, two dedicated drop-off and pick-up points adjacent to the stadium, and a fleet of eight golf carts specifically assigned to transport patrons from the mobility parking area to their gates. He also mentioned strategically placed amenities like Portaloos, on-site wheelchairs, cadets to assist at stairwells, and support teams to guide patrons.
According to Sautner, the level of dedicated mobility parking, transport assistance, and on-the-ground support for the Tattoo surpassed standards observed at comparable international stadiums. He reiterated Eden Park’s commitment to continually improving the fan experience and welcomed constructive feedback.
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo’s Auckland Debut
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, a world-renowned spectacle featuring over 1,000 performers from the British Armed Forces and Commonwealth military bands, typically takes place annually at Edinburgh Castle. Its three-stop tour in Auckland marks an unprecedented local hosting, previously only seen in Wellington during its history of touring New Zealand.
Despite the mobility concerns, the show itself garnered high praise. NZ Herald reviewer Mitchell Hageman, who witnessed both the Auckland and original Edinburgh performances, lauded the local installment for delivering “all the world-class bells and whistles the show has built its solid reputation on, with a special sprinkling of Kiwi flavour adding to the magic.” The performance, which included a pōwhiri and haka, as well as acts like the Top Secret Drum Corps and debut performances from Japanese and Tongan Army bands, received an extraordinary and passionate response from Kiwi fans, according to a press release from Auckland Scoop.
The Tattoo is scheduled for two more nights at Eden Park, on Friday, February 20, and Saturday, February 21, with tickets still available, urging patrons to arrive early to minimize congestion.
The conflicting accounts highlight the persistent challenge faced by major venues in balancing the immense logistical demands of large-scale international events with the critical need to ensure equitable and dignified access for all patrons, particularly those with mobility challenges. While Eden Park asserts robust planning and execution, the firsthand accounts of distress underscore the importance of real-time responsiveness and clear communication in addressing unforeseen issues.