As you may be aware, two of the last major acts to visit New Zealand, Westlife and Eric Clapton, have both set exorbitant pricing for the wheelchair section Auckland’s Vector Arena. Both times I was able to lobby Vector Arena on my readers’ behalf, who then in turn spoke to the promoters, and convinced them to lower the wheelchair pricing to a more reasonable level, in line with what other consumers pay. With international rock act Coldplay announcing a one-off show in Auckland, are we set to see a repeat of a similar pricing fiasco?

It really is a disappointing pricing policy, in my opinion. So many other venues, for both sport and other forms of entertainment, offer discounted wheelchair tickets or a buy-one-get-one-free policy, as more often than not wheelchair users have to bring a friend or support person of some description. At $350/ticket (which is what Eric Clapton’s wheelchair-using fans were asked to fork out), it makes a good night out roll in at around $700, not to mention taxis/food/drink.

What are your thoughts? Should the govt legislate that all entertainment venues must provide discounted ticketing options for disabled patrons? Leave a comment below.