A row between two councils has delayed the release of Government funding for Whangarei's new stadium.
The Northland Regional Council is building the $16 million events center at Okara Park, funded mostly by rates.
The Government has granted the project an extra $2.5 million to bring the stadium up to international standards for two Rugby World Cup Games.
But the council's deputy chair, Ian Walker, said the grant is now on hold because the Whangarei District Council wants the money.
Mr Walker said the operating trust the district council wants the money for does not yet exist, and the regional council has already begun work on the Government-approved extras for the stadium.
Whangarei mayor Stan Semenoff said talks are underway with the regional council, but declined to comment further.
