As we draw closer to Christmas, we’d like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your overwhelming support, hard work and vision in turning Ngā Puna Wai into a reality for Christchurch.

It’s been fantastic to see the brand new hockey and athletics facilities in action while the tennis and rugby league facilities continue to take shape and are on track to be completed in April 2019.

Tuesday 05 December marked the first time in eight years Christchurch’s top young athletes were able to compete on their home turf – check out the action here on Newsline!

The day was extra special for Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub Project Director Scott Bennett, when he got to hop across the other side of the project construction fence and watch his daughter Macy run on the track for the first time in the Year 8 Girls 1200m finals race.

More than 1700 students from 180 primary schools got to try out our newly opened athletics facilities as Ngā Puna Wai hosted the grand final of the Canterbury Primary Schools Athletics Championships.

Check out this panoramic shot of the track and field facilities in action!

On Sunday 09 December Canterbury’s hockey community was out in force to christen their new turfs at Ngā Puna Wai, complete with sunshine, a barbeque and a few rounds of Renegade Hockey. Thanks to the Canterbury RPC girls and boys for putting on a show.

It was wonderful to see so many little people trying out the turfs and to think a new generation of Christchurch kids will be exploring their sporting dreams on these world class facilities.

It’s great to see the years of hard work and planning that's gone into creating this venue for our community paying off and to see the smiles on these young faces.

Check out the Canterbury Hockey FB page for more photos from the day.

Christchurch fans will be treated to an international hockey showdown as the Vantage Black Sticks take on the world for the FIH Pro League in February 2019.

Our city has been named one of only two New Zealand venues to host the FIH Pro League games, to be held at Christchurch’s brand new Ngā Puna Wai sports hub.

Don't miss out on watching the Vantage Black Sticks men and women take on Great Britain, Germany, Pakistan (men) and China (women) in February at Ngā Puna Wai.

Get your tickets here and witness world class hockey, international food festivals, music and other great fun activities for the whole family.

Be part of Canterbury Rugby League's eagerly anticipated Ngā Puna Wai debut, with the Rockcote Canterbury Bulls' set to take on the Warriors' Intrust Super Premiership side on 23 February 2019.

Tickets for the historic rugby league event at Ngā Puna Wai are $10, with children under five admitted free. Visit Canterbury Rugby League for more details.

Ngā Puna Wai will be home to premier athletics, with the national track and field championships returning to the city from 8-10 March 2019. Come along, get behind our local athletes and enjoy a great day out at Ngā  Puna Wai. More information here.

• We're on target to open the Hub Building and Change Village 2 and complete the associated landscaping in January 2018 in preparation for the first FIH Pro League game in February 2019.
• We're on target to complete the Tennis and Rugby League facilities by April 2019.

Best wishes to all from the team at Christchurch City Council.

Got feedback? We'd love to hear from you. Email us on npwenquiries@ccc.govt.nz