The CCDU Recovery Plan, with the designation for the stadium the large blue area right of centre
One New Zealand Stadium, the Canterbury Multi-Use Arena, also known as Te Kaha, is a multi-use sports arena currently under construction in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is situated on land bordered by Hereford, Madras, Tuam, and Barbadoes streets. The facility is designed as a replacement for Lancaster Park, which was damaged in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake and demolished in 2019. The stadium is part of the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan developed by the government in 2012, and is scheduled to open in April 2026.
Hardcopy of the July 2012 Christchurch Central Recovery Plan
Progress
After many years of discussion, the city council confirmed a stadium investment case in December 2019 and cabinet approved its funding contribution in March 2020. Completion of the construction project was hoped for 2024.[1]
Construction began in January 2023 and the current planned date for opening is April 2026.[2]
On 22 July 2021, a majority of Christchurch City Council councillors made a preliminary decision to reduce the capacity to 25,000,[3] 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.[4]
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.
2017
The Multi-Use Arena Pre-Feasibility Study: Christchurch was requested by the Minister supporting Greater Christchurch Regeneration Nicky Wagner and the Christchurch City Council to develop and present a pre-feasibility study for the development of a new multi-use arena. This study did not consider any options with 35,000 seats as option as it would be too expensive and the general consensus among stakeholders (except for International Rugby) was that the capacity was higher than Christchurch needed, and was prohibitively expensive.
2021
In March 2021, a consortium of businesses were confirmed as the successful tenderer for the design and construction of the Canterbury Multi-Use Arena. The group known as Kōtui is led by Australian-based stadium construction experts, Besix Watpac. Kōtui includes Christchurch-based construction companies Southbase Construction and Fulton Hogan, local seismic engineering specialists Lewis Bradford, Christchurch architects Warren & Mahoney, and global stadium design experts Populous and Mott MacDonald.[5]
2022
The name of the land the stadium sits on is 'Te Kaha', a shortened version of Te Kaharoa (meaning 'enduring strength'), which is the name that was gifted by Ngāi Tūāhuriri.[6]
On 14 July, the Christchurch City Council voted to sign a $683 million contract to build Te Kaha.[7] This will require the council to invest an extra $150 million, which they plan to do by increasing rates. The council received 30,000 submissions about the stadium, with 77% being in favour.[8] 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 was announced, giving naming rights for the stadium for 10 years to the telecommunications company One NZ. The stadium is to be known as One New Zealand Stadium.[9]
2025 / 2026
In August 2025, Super Rugby confirmed that Super Round would return for 2026, with a new host, at Te Kaha Stadium. Fixtures are aligned with ANZAC Day weekend, to enable as many supporters of each team to attend the games around the days of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand . The confirmed fixtures are:
Crusaders vs Waratahs and the connection to Lancaster Park Stadium
Christchurch’s special link to rugby was forged when Canterbury met New South Wales at Lancaster Park in one of the earliest international fixtures on New Zealand soil. That contest lit a spark that grew into a legacy of toughness and pride, carried through Canterbury’s record 15 NPC titles and into the Crusaders’ dominance of the professional era.
From Lancaster Park to Te Kaha, the city has remained a proud stage for the game’s defining moments. The Crusaders’ unmatched 13 Super Rugby titles reflect that tradition, and the Super Rugby Super Round in April 2026 will carry Christchurch’s rugby heritage into a new era.
All Blacks at Te Kaha Stadium:
The World Rugby Nations League is a new global competition starting in 2026, featuring 24 teams split into two divisions. It aims to create more competitive, meaningful international matches with promotion and relegation from 2030.
Played during the July and November windows, the league will showcase cross-hemisphere fixtures and culminate in a grand final between the top northern and southern hemisphere teams, boosting fan engagement and supporting emerging rugby nations.
It is speculated that Ireland, Italy and France will come to New Zealand during the July internationals. It is very likely that one of these teams will play the All Blacks at Te Kaha.
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