Watch: first seat installed

In a major milestone for the project, the first seat has been installed at One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha. 

The seating installation is one of the last remaining workstreams to get underway and is expected to finish up later this year.

Another focus area for the project is the roof installation, which is progressing well. The solid portion of the roof to the south is almost complete and installation of the clear section has started this month.

The stadium will be covered, with much of the roof made of a clear material called Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), which is installed in two layers.

These layers form an air cushion which will help keep the bad weather out while allowing natural daylight through to support the turf growth.

The project remains on budget and the stadium is on track to open in April 2026.

Not a bad seat in the house

The first of 25,000 permanent seats were installed at the stadium this month. 

The seating bowl will feature a unique kowhaiwhai pattern inspired by the hammerhead shark (mangōpare), in black and grey. The render above shows the design, looking south from the northwest corner.

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

The pattern was created by local visual artist and graphic designer Morgan Darlison (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Porou, Tainui), who also designed the exterior façade artwork.

One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha will have 25,000 permanent seats, with capacity for 5,000 more to be added at the northern end for large events. 

Faces of Te Kaha: Leo Chen

Position: Assistant Site Safety Supervisor, Jinggong Steel 

Day to day I... walk around site supervising a team of around 80. I make sure everyone has the right PPE and are following procedures. I check logbooks and gear like the welding gas cylinders.  

The best part of my job is… getting to talk to so many people. I connect with suppliers and machinery technicians, other trades, and lead contractor BESIX Watpac. 

Past projects: This is my first project. I’m learning from so many people. I learn better from people than books. 

Outside of work I… like motorcycling and hiking. 

Progress update

Between the roof and the seats, the team has hit some major targets this month. Take a look below for the latest progress pictures.

The shot above shows the work on the roof, taken from the Tuam Street end of the site. The solid section is almost finished and the team are progressing with the clear part of the roof.

The shot above, taken from the Barbadoes Street side of the site, shows the first clear section of the roof in place. Made of a durable, lightweight material called  Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), this will keep the rain off patrons while letting sunlight shine through onto the turf. 

In another big milestone for the project, the seat installation is officially underway. 

The photo above shows the hardware for the seats going in, and the seats ready to be unpacked and installed.

The exterior cladding is now well past the halfway mark. The photo above shows the progress around the eastern side of the stadium, along Barbadoes Street. 

The fit-out works also continue to track well across the site, with many areas now finished. Above is a shot of one of the bathrooms in the south stand. As each area is completed, it is cordoned off awaiting the final testing and commissioning phase.

Te Kaha Streets progress update

Madras Street resurfacing this weekend
The finishing touches are being made to the streets around the stadium.

The brick barrel wastewater pipe repairs on Madras Street (between Cashel and Hereford Street) have finished up, and this section of road will get its final layer of asphalt this weekend. Work will take place overnight on Sunday 29 June, weather permitting.

Some repairs are also being made to the brick barrel wastewater pipe at the southern end of Madras Street, near the Ara campus. This is expected to finish up in mid-July.

Stadium speed consultation
Due to a change in government legislation, the Council must reconsult on speed changes around the stadium. A range of new speed limits were due to come into effect once the street upgrades were completed.

However, the Government’s new Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024 does not allow these changes to go ahead. New speed limits are being proposed, which comply with the updated Rule. Click below to learn more and have your say before Wednesday 9 July.

Site progress photos

What to expect over the coming months

Due to the huge size of the project, different stages of work 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.

Q2 2025 - Roof and wall secondary steel will progress ahead of the roof and wall cladding continuing towards the north. External works around the stadium will gain momentum as the external stairs are built. Internal fit-out works will continue in all stands, including bowl metalwork and handrails. Seats will start to be installed.

Q3 2025 - The installation of roof and wall cladding will finish. External works will progress towards the north, fit-out works will continue within the stands and final services commissioning will commence. Metalwork and seats will continue to be installed in the seating bowl.