Watch: Homestretch for new stadium build

Seat numbers, couches and goal posts – the finishing touches are being added to One NZ Stadium at Te Kaha ahead of the April opening. 

Alongside this work, the team is also testing and commissioning all the systems in the building. 

Couches, bar leaners, tables and chairs have been installed in the corporate suites, and the last few seat numbers are being added to the 25,000 permanent seats in the stands.

The turf is growing in well and the groundskeepers have put up the goal posts. The fit out for all the food and beverage outlets is almost complete.

Over 3,700 people have worked on the stadium over the years, putting in more than 2.3 million work hours altogether. It's thanks to their hard work and dedication that the project remains on budget and the stadium is on track to open in April 2026.

Faces of Te Kaha: Brent Leversedge

Position: Site Foreman, Faulks Investments Ltd 

Day to day I… look after a crew and make sure we’re getting as much work done as possible. I’ve been on site since day dot, so about 3.5 years. We started by digging out and preparing for the concrete for the stands. Now we’re doing all the civil works around the outside of the stadium. At the moment we’re prepping for the last pathways to be poured at the north end. 

Past projects: I’ve worked on the Northern Corridor, the Southern Motorway, the Silverstream subdivision out in Kaiapoi.  

The best part of my job is… working with everyone on site. I’ve made some really good friendships. This is an unreal project, it’ll be a buzz when it opens. 

Outside of work I… love motorsport. My son races speedway. 

Progress update

With only around two months to go until Christchurch has its new stadium, the team is focused on wrapping up the last pieces of work and testing and commissioning all the stadium’s systems and facilities.

Here's a look behind the scenes at the control room for the stadium's audio-visual and lighting systems in the west stand. All the systems at One NZ Stadium at Te Kaha meet international concert touring standards.

There are 16 custom speaker arrays installed in the roof trusses, delivering concert-grade audio coverage. The PA system includes coverage across the whole stadium. Hearing loops, WiFi and FM systems are also included for accessibility.

The exterior of the stadium has lights that can shift through any colour of the rainbow. 

The sport lighting over the field of play has over 350 individually controllable LED fittings.

 Above is a view of the south stand, where the seats are finished, and the ribbon boards and southern big screen are up and running.

The groundskeepers have also put up the goal posts. 

The Ōtautahi Lounge is all kitted out and ready to go. There's a range of bar leaners, tables and chairs and couches for patrons to choose from. The other hospitality suites are getting their final deep clean and touch ups.

Spanning three city blocks, the stadium precinct features around 13,000 trees and plants, pathways and garden beds. The drone shot above shows the east side of the precinct, along Barbadoes Street.

The countdown is on!

Major construction, including the fit-out of the stands, landscaping works and seat installation, has wrapped up. The team is well underway with a comprehensive testing and commissioning programme, ahead of the stadium opening in April.

Over the final few weeks of the construction project, the stadium's food and beverage outlets will finish being set up. The final building clean will be completed and the venue operators will receive their training and site familiarisation.

The Te Kaha Project remains on track to be completed in April. The first event to be held at the new stadium is the Super Rugby Super Round which will take place over Anzac Weekend (24 - 26 April). The first concert to be held is Six60 and Synthony on 16 May.

Many other events have also been announced. Click below to learn more.