Watch: Major milestone for $683m Te Kaha stadium

4th February 2025 By Staff Reporter | news@propertyticker.co.nz | @propertyticker

The steel superstructure of One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha is now complete, marking a major milestone for the $683m project, says Christchurch City Council. 

Construction of the 25,000-seat stadium, which will have the ability to add 5,000 more for large sporting events, started in April 2022 and is expected to be completed in April 2026.

“We’ve started the year strong,” said council project director Kent Summerfield in an update on Monday.

“The final two steel modules have been lifted into place at the northern end of the site.

“Installing these final modules closes out a significant phase of the project for the team. Every step of the roof installation process has been complex and presented its own challenges.”

Each of the steel modules weighed around 160 tonnes, making them the heaviest of the project. The largest crane in the country, a 1200-tonne crawler, was required for the task. The roof structure is made up of over 80 modules, each weighing at least 75 tonnes. The first was installed in December 2023.

Australian-based stadium construction experts BESIX Watpac are leading the project, along with the Kōtui consortium, which includes Christchurch-based construction companies Southbase Construction and Fulton Hogan, and local seismic engineering specialists Lewis Bradford. Christchurch architects Warren and Mahoney and global stadium design experts Populous and Mott MacDonald have led the design work.

“It’s fantastic to look over the last fourteen months and recognise the work that BESIX Watpac and their subcontractors have done to make this happen,” said Summerfield.

“This work got underway at the southern end of the site in late 2024 and will be completed around springtime.

“Nearly all the concrete seating plats are now in place. Metalwork and handrail installation will commence in the coming weeks, with the seating to follow.”

The stadium’s façade features an artwork created by local artist Morgan Darlison.

“We have another very busy year ahead, with a number of challenges in front of us,” said Summerfield.

“But with our dedicated team continuing to hit milestone after milestone, we remain on track and on budget for an opening in April 2026.”