It’s not every day New Zealand’s national stadium is mentioned in the House of Commons, but this week Eden Park was publicly acknowledged as the stadium gets ready for the arrival of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, which is now just one month away.
The remarks were made by Carolyn Harris, UK Trade Envoy to New Zealand, (link to House of Commons video) who reflected on her visit to Eden Park last year and the conversations that helped bring one of the United Kingdom and Scotland’s most iconic cultural productions to New Zealand.
In February, that vision becomes reality, with Eden Park hosting three nights of spectacular performance.
The significance of the event was reinforced in the House of Commons by UK Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer, who said he was delighted the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo was heading to New Zealand, describing it as another example of Scotland’s contribution to enhancing the United Kingdom’s international image through culture and tourism. He noted the Tattoo as a spectacular event and a testament to the exciting and successful trading relationship New Zealand shares with the United Kingdom.
Eden Park Chief Executive Nick Sautner said the acknowledgement in the House of Commons highlighted the importance of the event for New Zealand.
“For Eden Park to be spoken about in the House of Commons in connection with the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a privilege and reflects the significance of this event coming to New Zealand,” Sautner said.
“Hosting the Tattoo at Eden Park is about more than three nights of performance. It speaks to the strength of our relationship with the United Kingdom, the cultural ties we share, and New Zealand’s ability to stage world-class international events.”
Across three nights (19 – 21 February), the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will transform Eden Park with massed bands, music, military precision, dance and visual storytelling, featuring performers from the UK, Scotland and New Zealand.
With just one month to go, anticipation is building for three nights of extraordinary performance that will deliver cultural and economic benefits for Auckland, while placing New Zealand firmly on the global cultural stage.
Tickets for The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo are still available via Ticketek.
