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Vector Arena decides to come to the (Westlife) party

March 3rd, 2008 · 3 Comments

Westlife tour image. Source: ticketmaster.co.nzSo over the weekend, I’m not afraid to admit, I was all prepared to get tickets to Westlife’s Auckland gig for me and my sister at the Vector Arena, as we’re both long-term old school Westlife fans from years ago! I saw that the ticket prices ranged from $89.90 and $150, but I was shocked to discover that the only wheelchair-accessible seating was priced between $125-$150! So not only were wheelchair users asked to stump up at least $35/ticket more than other people, but we were completely excluded from the cheapest seats - something I found grossly discriminatory. So, being the rational being I am, I decided to contact Vector Arena about the seemingly unfounded gap in seating prices, and I got this response:

Hey Red
As per our conversation today, this is confirmation that in consultation with the Promoter for Westlife, we are changing one of the bays from the A Reserve category price to the C Reserve category price in order not to disadvantage you from being able to attend the concert. Numbers will be limited so please get in as soon as you can by calling +64 9 970 9700 in order to arrange your seat for the event. Also if you do require a disability park for the event for the night please email our Receptionist Phieng on pphongsa@vectorarena.co.nz to arrange this as there are also limited numbers available for this too.

So this means that they’ve changed one of the wheelchair bays to the $89.90 price tag - how fantastic is that?! I’d like to commend Vector Arena and the Westlife promoters for exhibiting their social conscience, albeit one which needed a bit of prodding…

And don’t forget - if you want one of these tickets at the newly-dropped price, you’d better get in quick!

Tags: Arts · Events · Public Facilities

3 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Karen // Mar 20, 2008 at 12:11 am

    Hi, was wondering what bay where the w/c seating is was reduced in price as I have tickets but paid the whole $150..? Didn’t know there was an alternative & there never has been for any other concerts I’ve attended at the Vector!
    Good on you for getting onto it - I’ve always pointed out to them that by not allowing w/c tickets to be sold in the presale events often held that this is discrimination too but to no help.

  • 2 Concert promoters shafting wheelchair users again? // Oct 24, 2008 at 12:52 pm

    […] from blasting the Westlife promoters for only offering wheelchair-using patrons the highest priced ticket bracket, a user of this site has emailed me about a similar situation with the upcoming Eric Clapton gig in […]

  • 3 Good news for Eric Clapton fans! // Oct 26, 2008 at 2:39 pm

    […] just like with Westlife, the concert promoters for Eric Clapton’s Auckland show have come to the party over the […]

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