Venues Ōtautahi launches Te Kaha branding and story

Last night Venues Ōtautahi launched the Te Kaha brand and story at a stakeholder event at the Christchurch Town Hall. A video (below) was also released introducing the story behind the name, and what this world-class facility will mean for Cantabrians.

Venues Ōtautahi has also published a new website for the venue. As the project progresses and the arena comes to life, this website will evolve with more detailed information. 

Venues Ōtautahi is the operator of Te Kaha. Te Kaha will add to the current suite of venues VŌ owns and/or operates, including Christchurch Town Hall, Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch Arena, Hagley Oval and the Air Force Museum of New Zealand.

 Te Kaha archaeologists uncover wealth of artefacts 

After almost three months of digging and scraping, archaeologists are nearing the end of their work on the Te Kaha multi-use arena site.

So far the Underground Overground Archaeology team has discovered more than 170 boxes-worth of artefacts in “the largest project of its kind in Christchurch”.

From a Chilean peso dated in 1853 (below left), through to crockery, bottles, pots, smoking pipes (below right), old wells and brick fireplaces, the archaeologists have unearthed a wealth of historical pieces that tell the story of the city’s early colonial settlers.

On-site progress update

Over the past month, work on the Te Kaharoa site has been focused on ground improvement using rammed aggregate piers (RAPs).

There are three rigs on site, which have already driven thousands of linear metres of RAPs into the ground to support Te Kaha’s western stand, and this section of work is on track to be completed by early next month.

Two rigs will then move to begin ground-improvement to the southern stand, while the third rig will begin on the north stand.

We are aware that this work has caused some vibrations for nearby neighbours and businesses. BESIX Watpac has continuously monitored this work to ensure vibrations are below the approved limits, but we apologise for any inconvenience, discomfort or stress these vibrations may cause.

Surveyors plot the position of where the RAPs will be located across the site.

What to expect over the next six months

The next six months of the Te Kaha project will be focused on enabling works and improving the ground conditions so that it can support the huge structure and withstand any seismic activity in the future. 

Work will then start on the arena's substructure (foundations and underground supports), then commence on the superstructure bowl.

Because of the huge size of the project, the different stages will overlap to streamline the process. That means as one phase of work progresses across the site (working from south to north), the next phase will follow closely behind it.

Q4 2022 to Q1 2023 - Enabling works and ground improvement.

Q4 2022 - Work begins on Te Kaha's substructure.

Q1 2023 - Construction begins on superstructure bowl.