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Stadium Taranaki’s new accessible audio link sounds like a winner

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PUBLISHED: 2 SEPT 2025
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Listen up – now you can plug straight into the audio action at Stadium Taranaki.

The stadium is the first in Australasia to offer Bluetooth’s Auracast audio system to visitors with coverage of the stadium’s official audio and announcements for visitors to the TSB Stand (the east stand).

“Auracast streams the venue audio, including official announcements, straight to your earphones or headset and cuts out the background noise.  It’s free and no downloads needed – just bring your Bluetooth-enabled listening device and link in,” said NPDC Stadium Taranaki Lead, Jonnie Orrell.

“While this makes events at Stadium Taranaki much more accessible for the hearing-impaired, it’s important to remember that most people have a problem hearing at some time, whether you’re sitting in a noisy crowd cheering on the Bulls or at the back of the room at a private function.”

Taranaki Regional Council Director of Corporate Services Mike Nield says the new TSB Stand was designed to improve accessibility for those attending games and events and this included improving the facilities for those with hearing impairments.

“The upgraded stadium is an amazing facility, and we want it to be used by everyone in the community which is why we’ve made improvements such as a the Auracast system to make it a more inclusive and welcoming arena,” said Mr Nield.  

Hear more about how Auracast can improve your next Stadium experience with an Auracast open day at the TSB Stand from 1:30 to 3:30pm on Sunday 14 September.

Visitors can park in the Sport Taranaki car park and enter the TSB Stand through Gate 2, following the yellow flags.

Fast facts:

  •  Stadium Taranaki is operated by NPDC and owned by Taranaki Regional Council.
  • It’s the home for the Taranaki Rugby Football Union – Go Bulls!
  • The Stadium was built in 2002 on the site of the old Rugby Park.
  • It seats 21,000 and also hosts entertainment and private functions.
  • It staged three games in the 2011 Rugby World Cup and the All Blacks have played there four times.
  •  It hosted games for the Under 20 FIFA World Cup in 2015.

Caption:  Stadium Taranaki's TSB Stand.

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Page last updated: 11:32am Tue 02 September 2025

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