Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand - constructed at a cost of nearly NZ$200m (£103.9m, EUR118.3m, US$166.3m) - has been unveiled by Prime Minister John Key.

The new 30,500-seat stadium has been designed by Populous and is one of the world's first venues to be permanently covered with an EFTE roof while offering natural playing turf.

Dunedin Venues Management (DVML) will run the stadium, which has replaced the former Carisbrook Stadium and is due to host a series of fixtures at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Speaking to Sports Management (Q3 2011, pp. 34-8), DVML chief executive David Davies said the new Forsyth Barr Stadium was a "statement of intent" for Dunedin.

"The idea for the new stadium was born out of the desire to do something significantly different to what already existed," said Davies.

"The proximity to the field for international rugby [10m/33ft from the upper tier to the sideline] is going to be the single biggest selling point for us and we believe it is this key factor that will bring people back in significant numbers."

For more about the new Forsyth Barr Stadium and New Zealand's preparations for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, see Sports Management (Q3 2011, pp. 34-8): www.sportsmanagement.co.uk

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