|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Pukekohe is preparing for an influx of visitors as UB40 featuring Ali Campbell performs at Navigation Homes Stadium tonight, February 13.
The R18 event is expected to attract a crowd of around 8,000 people, with gates opening at 3.15pm and the concert scheduled to finish at 10pm.
The show is part of the Kingston Calling 2026 tour and will also feature Aotearoa acts Katchafire, The Black Seeds and Corrella.
Franklin Local Board member Merritt Watson is encouraging people to plan ahead.
“There will be an increase in activity around town on Friday night. Plan ahead and avoid these [road] closures,” Watson said.
“Concerts and other events like this at the stadium are an incredible boost to our local economy.”
The concert marks UB40’s first full New Zealand tour since 2019.
Road closures and traffic changes
Organisers say there will be no public road closures before the event, aside from the closure of the stadium’s large carpark.
After the concert, temporary road closures will be in place from 9.00pm to 11.00pm around:
- Franklin Road / Reynolds Road roundabout
- Stadium Drive and Hall Street
- Stadium Drive and East Street
To allow safe exit from the venue, Stadium Drive between Franklin Road and the Reynolds Road/Cape Hill Road roundabout will be closed from 9.00pm to 10.30pm.
Anyone parked within the road closure zone will need to wait until roads reopen at around 10.30pm before leaving.
Parking will be available on surrounding streets, and carpooling or public transport is encouraged. There will be no parking at Franklin Pools and Leisure Centre or in the Field 2 carpark.
Public transport
An Auckland Transport spokesperson said standard public transport services will operate.
“There will be no additional buses or trains but trains will be running and patrons should check the AT Journey Planner to plan their journeys. Standard fares apply to all services for this event.”
What to bring and what to leave at home:
Ticket holders are reminded to bring:
- Valid photo ID (required for entry)
- A valid barcode ticket (printed or mobile)
- Personal digital cameras
- A rain jacket, umbrellas are permitted due to weather condtions
- An empty plastic water bottle (water available on site)
Prohibited items include:
- Alcohol, drugs, food and drink, perfume or glass bottles. Only empty, unsealed plastic water bottles are allowed into the venue
- Organisers say attendees should check the full list of terms and conditions before arriving
Weather
MetService has issued a heavy rain watch in the Auckland region for 25hrs from 9am today until 10am tomorrow February 14.
The forecaster says “Periods of heavy rain [are] spreading south, with a chance of thunderstorms and localised downpours.
“Severe Thunderstorm Warnings may be issued for localised storms, and rainfall accumulations may exceed warning criteria in some regions. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.”
“It’s a tricky type of situation where different parts of the region will see different amounts of rain. Broadly there’s a risk of downpours where 25-40mm of rain could fall in an hour,” MetService Meteorologist Lewis Ferris told the Franklin Times.
