An earlier study, announced last December, was dropped in February after New Zealand's Economic Development Minister Gerry Brownlee withdrew NZ$500,000 (£178,399) put aside by the previous Government for a study into whether Auckland could try to follow Glasgow in 2014 and host the Games.

 

A new assessment has now been commissed by the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) and will be financed by NZ Major Events, a unit of the Ministry of Economic Development, Government sport funding agency Sport & Recreation New Zealand (SPARC) and Auckland Regional Councils.

 

The investigation will be carried out by Events Knowledge Service (EKS), a consultant to the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF). 

 

The study will identify gaps, strengths and weaknesses in the Auckland region’s ability to host the Commonwealth Games.

 

NZOC Secretary General Barry Maister claimed this first step is critical.

 

He said: “The Commonwealth Games Federation will work with us to assess the viability of a bid.

 

"The project will be conducted with the support of central and local government and is just the first in a series of steps towards a prospective bid.”

 

A decision to bid or not will be made by January 2010.
 

Maister said: “The Commonwealth Games is a significant sporting opportunity for our athletes and is unique in its ability to inspire friendship and camaraderie between a diverse group of nations that share a common history. Supporting an investigation into New Zealand’s ability to host a Games is a step towards bringing this spirit directly into our own communities.” 

 

SPARC chief executive Peter Miskimmin said the feasibility study would provide rigorous information about the costs and benefits of holding the Games.

 

He said: “Hosting a Commonwealth Games would provide substantial benefits for sport in New Zealand, and potentially major positive legacies in terms of infrastructure, volunteer base and participation. “

 

The Auckland input into the prospective bid is sponsored by the Auckland Regional Council and led by its economic development unit, AucklandPlus.

AucklandPlus Chairman Michael Barnett believes the feasibility study will provide an important legacy for Auckland even if the bid for the Games does not proceed.

 

He said: “The Councils of Auckland are supporting the Advance Support Programme as not only will it provide clear direction around our ability to host a Commonwealth Games, but also Auckland’s ability to host any mega-event.

 

"This piece of work is important in its own right.”

 

New Zealand last hosted the Games in 1990 when Auckland was the host.

Christchurch also hosted the event in 1974.
 

Several countries have already expressed an interest in bidding for the 2018 Games, including the Gold Coast in Australia.

 

Abuja, the Nigerian capital that lost out on the chance to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games to Glasgow, has already declared its intention to bid for 2018 while candidates are also expected to emerge from Durban and Nairobi.

 

Port-of-Spain's potential bid suffered a setback last month when the Trinidad Government cancelled the Caribbean Games because of the swine flu epidemic.