Watch: Final look of stadium revealed

Local visual artist and graphic designer Morgan Darlison (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Porou, Tainui) was engaged by Christchurch City Council to develop a range of works to feature throughout One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha.

In the video above, the artist shares the inspiration behind the façade artwork and seating bowl design.

The underlying narrative for the artworks in the stadium is based on Tāne and the separation of Ranginui, the Sky above, and Papātūānuku, the Earth. 

Façade render, looking towards the southeast corner on the Tuam/Barbadoes corner.

The exterior façade will feature a pattern made up of 800m of steel sheeting in colours representing the Canterbury landscape.  

The geometric artwork represents the natural features that surround the stadium on each side; Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū Banks Peninsula, Port Hills, Kā Tiritiri o te Moana Southern Alps, and Maukatere Mt Grey.

The cladding installation starts in November on the south stand that backs onto Tuam Street. The work will progress to the east and west, with the last sheets to be installed in the north stand around the middle of 2025.

Seating bowl render, looking south from the northwest corner.

In a first for New Zealand, the seating bowl will feature a unique kowhaiwhai pattern inspired by the hammerhead shark (mangōpare), in black and grey.

The hammerhead shark represents strength, tenacity, speed and agility.

One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha will have 25,000 permanent seats, with capacity for 5000 more to be added during large events. The first seats will be installed around April next year - about a year ahead of the venue opening in 2026.