The CCDU Recovery Plan, with the designation for the stadium the large blue area right of centre
Te Kaha,[1][2] initially known as the Canterbury Multi-Use Arena[3] and currently known for sponsorship reasons as One New Zealand Stadium,[a] is a multi-use sports arena under construction in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is bordered by Hereford, Madras, Tuam, and Barbadoes streets. The facility is a replacement for Lancaster Park, which was damaged in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake and demolished in 2019.
The stadium name Te Kaha means "the strength" in Māori[6] and was gifted by Ngāi Tūāhuriri (a local sub-tribe of Ngāi Tahu).[7][8] The name and the arena's architecture are intended to represent the strength and resilience of Canterbury and its people.[9][10] The land and stadium precinct are named Te Kaharoa, meaning "enduring strength".[11] The stadium is part of the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan developed by the government in 2012. It is scheduled to open in April 2026.[12]
Hardcopy of the July 2012 Christchurch Central Recovery Plan
Progress
After many years of discussion,[13] the city council confirmed a stadium investment case in December 2019 and the cabinet approved its funding contribution in March 2020.[14] Construction was hoped to be complete by late 2024.[14] On 22 July 2021, a majority of Christchurch City Council councillors made a preliminary decision to reduce the capacity to 25,000,[15] but councillors voted on 12 August 2021 to backtrack on that decision after it was revealed the 30,000-seat option would only cost an extra $50 million, rather than the $88 million councillors were originally advised of.[16]
Construction began in January 2023 and the current planned date for opening is April 2026.[17]
Timeline
2012
In July 2012, the Christchurch Central Development Unit released their 100-day blueprint also known as the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan. The plan included a new permanent 35,000-seat multi-purpose sports and entertainment venue as an anchor project within a scheme for a future city vision. The 6-hectare (15-acre) site is bounded by Tuam, Madras, Hereford and Barbadoes Streets. The Government took responsibility for acquiring the land needed for the stadium.[citation needed]
2017
The government Minister supporting Greater Christchurch Regeneration Nicky Wagner and Christchurch City Council published a "Pre-Feasibility Study" for a multi-use arena. This did not consider any options with 35,000 seats, due to the high cost, and the general consensus among stakeholders (except for International Rugby) was that that capacity was higher than Christchurch needed.[13]
2021
In March 2021, a consortium of businesses were confirmed as the successful tenderer for designing and building the Canterbury Multi-Use Arena. The group known as Kōtui is led by Australian-based stadium construction company BESIX Watpac and also includes the Christchurch-based Southbase Construction and Fulton Hogan, local seismic engineers Lewis Bradford, Christchurch architects Warren and Mahoney, and global stadium design companies Populous and Mott MacDonald.[18]
The land that the stadium sits on was gifted the name Te Kaharoa ("enduring strength" in Māori) by the local hapū (sub-tribe) Ngāi Tūāhuriri in 2021.[19] The city's mayor Lianne Dalziel said that Te Kaharoa reflected Canterbury's "determination and fierce spirit".[19]
2022
The name of the stadium Te Kaha (meaning "the strength") was gifted by Ngāi Tūāhuriri;[7][8] the name Te Kaha replaced the name Canterbury Multi-Use Arena in January 2022.[20][2]
On 14 July, the Christchurch City Council voted to sign a $683 million contract to build Te Kaha.[21] This will require the council to invest an extra $150 million, which they plan to do by increasing rates.[needs update] The $150m increase in costs in 2022 was blamed by councillors on the combined economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and COVID-19 lockdowns in China.[22]
The council received 30,000 submissions about the stadium, with 77% being in favour.[23] Barry Bragg, the Te Kaha project delivery board chairman, said it was a fixed price contract, meaning that there will be no further increases of the cost of the project.
2024
In July, a sponsorship deal gave naming rights for 10 years to the telecommunications company One NZ. The stadium was given the sponsored name One New Zealand Stadium;[24] official sources often refer to it as One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha, using both official names.[4][5][10]
2026
The official council opening event is expected to happen on 27 March 2026, with the first events scheduled to take place in April 2026.
Features
Te Kaha's design includes elements closely related to Canterbury and to elements of Māori culture.[10] Several features were conceived by the artist Morgan Darlison, appointed by Ngāi Tūāhuriri.[25] The seating bowl has a unique black-and-grey kowhaiwhai design inspired by the hammerhead shark "which represents strength, tenacity, speed and agility".[10][26]. Darlison chose this for its visual impact, and she intended it as "[a] bit of inspiration for our performers and athletes".[26]
The stadium's steel outer façade represents the Canterbury landscape seen around the stadium, including the mountains, waterways, coast and food resources (mahika kai).[25] Warren and Mahoney wrote, "no matter where visitors stand, the façade will mirror the landscape behind it".[10] Other artworks depict the Māori creation story in the version of Ngāi Tahu (the main South Island tribe).[26]
Te Kaha's maximum capacity when hosting concerts will be 37,300.[27][28]
The stadium has a permanent roof 32 metres above ground level, made from steel and clad with thin ETFEplastic.[28][29][30]
12"Te Kaha Project Delivery Ltd: Statement of intent"(PDF). Christchurch City Council. p.8, 13. Retrieved 26 February 2026. Te Kaha and Te Kaharoa being the names gifted respectively for the arena and for the whenua [land] surrounding{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
*unmarked: Men's and Women's RLWC, †: Men's RLWC only
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