Te Kaha (stadium)

Te Kaha
One New Zealand Stadium
Te Kaha under construction in May 2025
Interactive map of Te Kaha
Full nameOne New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha
Location218 Madras Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch, New Zealand
Coordinates43°32′03″S 172°38′39″E / 43.5341°S 172.6442°E / -43.5341; 172.6442
OwnerChristchurch City Council
OperatorVenues Ōtautahi
Capacity30,000(25,000 permanent, 5,000 temporary)[1]
Construction
Broke ground8 April 2022 (2022-04-08)
Built2022–present
OpenedApril 2026 (planned)
Construction costEstimated around NZD$683 million
ArchitectPopulous and Warren and Mahoney
Tenants
Crusaders (Super Rugby) (From 2026)
Canterbury (NPC) (From 2026)
Canterbury (NZRL) (From 2026)
South Island United (OFCPL) (From 2026)
Website
onenewzealandstadium.co.nz

Te Kaha,[2][3] initially known as the Canterbury Multi-Use Arena[4] 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[7] and was gifted by Ngāi Tūāhuriri (a local sub-tribe of Ngāi Tahu).[8][9] The name and the arena's architecture are intended to represent the strength and resilience of Canterbury and its people.[10][11] The land and stadium precinct are named Te Kaharoa, meaning "enduring strength".[12] The stadium is part of the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan developed by the government in 2012. It is scheduled to open in April 2026.[13]

Progress

After many years of discussion,[14] the city council confirmed a stadium investment case in December 2019 and the cabinet approved its funding contribution in March 2020.[15] Construction was hoped to be complete by late 2024.[15] On 22 July 2021, a majority of Christchurch City Council councillors made a preliminary decision to reduce the capacity to 25,000,[16] 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.[17]

Construction began in January 2023 and the current planned date for opening is April 2026.[18]

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 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.[14]

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.[19]

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.[20] The city's mayor Lianne Dalziel said that Te Kaharoa reflected Canterbury's "determination and fierce spirit".[20]

2022

The name of the stadium Te Kaha (meaning "the strength") was gifted by Ngāi Tūāhuriri;[8][9] the name Te Kaha replaced the name Canterbury Multi-Use Arena in January 2022.[21][3]

On 14 July, the Christchurch City Council voted to sign a $683 million contract to build Te Kaha.[22] This will require the council to invest an extra $150 million, which they plan to do by increasing rates. 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.[23]

The council received 30,000 submissions about the stadium, with 77% being in favour.[24] 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;[25] official sources often refer to it as One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha, using both official names.[5][6][11]

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.

In December 2025, it was announced that the first concert to be held at the stadium would be Once in a Lifetime on 16 May 2026 which would feature full sets from Six60 and Synthony.[26]

On 17 March 2026, it was announced that British singer Robbie Williams would perform at the stadium on 28 November 2026 as part of the Britpop Tour. This is currently scheduled to be the first concert headlined by an international act to be held at the stadium.[27]

Features

Te Kaha's design includes elements closely related to Canterbury and to elements of Māori culture.[11] Several features were conceived by the artist Morgan Darlison, appointed by Ngāi Tūāhuriri.[28] The seating bowl has a unique black-and-grey kowhaiwhai design inspired by the hammerhead shark "which represents strength, tenacity, speed and agility".[11][29] Darlison chose this for its visual impact, and she intended it as "[a] bit of inspiration for our performers and athletes".[29]

The stadium's steel outer façade represents the Canterbury landscape seen around the stadium, including the mountains, waterways, coast and food resources (mahika kai).[28] Warren and Mahoney wrote, "no matter where visitors stand, the façade will mirror the landscape behind it".[11] Other artworks depict the Māori creation story in the version of Ngāi Tahu (the main South Island tribe).[29]

Te Kaha's maximum capacity when hosting concerts will be 37,300.[30][31]

The stadium has a permanent roof 32 metres above ground level, made from steel and clad with thin ETFE plastic.[31][32][33]

Events

2026 Rugby League World Cup

In November 2025, the stadium was named as a venue for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.[34]

Date Country Score Country Competition Attendance
25 October 2026  New Zealand
–
  France 2026 Women's World Cup
 New Zealand
–
  Cook Islands 2026 Men's World Cup

Rugby Union

In December 2025, it was announced that Te Kaha would play host to the All Blacks first home game of the new 2026 Nations Championship.[35] It was also announced that the Black Ferns would host their final game of the year in Christchurch.[36] In January 2026, it was announced that the British & Irish Lions Women would play the Black Ferns at the stadium in the final game of the 2027 British & Irish Lions Women's tour to New Zealand.[37]

In addition it will host the Super Round of the Super Rugby season with all 5 games during the round spread over one weekend, as well as all Crusaders home games moving forwards.[38]

Date Country Score Country Competition Attendance
4 July 2026  New Zealand
–
  France 2026 Nations Championship
31 October 2026  New Zealand
–
  France 2026 WXV
25 September 2027  New Zealand
–
 British & Irish Lions 2027 British & Irish Lions Women's tour to New Zealand

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Officially One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha[5][6]

References

  1. ^ Law, Tina (10 March 2026). "'Totally weird': Stadium's temporary seating plans surprise councillors". The Press.
  2. ^ Wei Shao (12 August 2025). "What's taking shape inside Te Kaha". The Press.
  3. ^ a b Jean Edwards (12 September 2024). "Risk sponsor's name will dilute 'Te Kaha' stadium branding – experts". RNZ News.
  4. ^ "Te Kaha Project: Progress and timelines". Christchurch City Council.
  5. ^ a b "One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha: Sustainability Report" (PDF). Christchurch City Council. Te Kaha Project Delivery. 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 August 2025.
  6. ^ a b "Te Kaha project overview". Christchurch City Council. Archived from the original on 15 December 2025.
  7. ^ "Te Kaha stadium, Christchurch". Design Engineers. Archived from the original on 14 October 2024.
  8. ^ a b "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)
  9. ^ a b "Planned $533m Christchurch stadium gets new name". Star News. 27 January 2022. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022.
  10. ^ Lowcher, Jess (2023). "Fresh From The Field — Te Kaha". Design Assembly. Archived from the original on 4 September 2025.
  11. ^ a b c d e "One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha". Warren and Mahoney. Archived from the original on 18 January 2025.
  12. ^ "Getting ready for Te Kaha" (PDF). Christchurch City Council. 2022. p. 4. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 October 2022.
  13. ^ "150 days out for Te Kaha: Christchurch's new stadium build enters final phase". The Press. 19 November 2025.
  14. ^ a b "Multi-Use Arena Pre-Feasibility Study: Christchurch" (PDF). Christchurch City Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 February 2018.
  15. ^ a b McDonald, Liz (2 March 2020). "Crown approves Christchurch stadium funding". Stuff. Archived from the original on 13 August 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  16. ^ Clark, Hamish. "Design of new Christchurch indoor stadium confirmed with 25,000 seats". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 13 August 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  17. ^ "30k seats for Christchurch stadium as decision overturned". Radio New Zealand. 12 August 2021. Archived from the original on 13 August 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  18. ^ "CANTERBURY MULTI-USE ARENA – TE KAHA – Key Dates". ANZIP. Archived from the original on 6 May 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  19. ^ "Kōtui Consortium to design and build Canterbury Multi-Use Arena". Newsline. Archived from the original on 14 August 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
  20. ^ a b Steven Walton (9 December 2021). "Land for new Christchurch stadium to be named Te Kaharoa". Stuff. Archived from the original on 9 December 2021.
  21. ^ Steven Walton (27 January 2022). "Out with the 'tongue twister'? Christchurch's $533m stadium to get new name". Stuff.
  22. ^ Leask, Anna. "Watch live: It's going ahead! Christchurch council greenlights controversial multi-use stadium Te Kaha". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 14 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  23. ^ Steven Walton (4 June 2022). "Why the Christchurch stadium budget exploded in just a matter of months". Stuff.
  24. ^ Boswell, Ryan. "$683m Christchurch stadium gets go-ahead from city council". 1 News. Archived from the original on 14 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  25. ^ "One New Zealand gets naming rights for new $683m Christchurch stadium". Radio New Zealand. 4 July 2024. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  26. ^ "Once In A Lifetime: SIX60 & SYNTHONY to Headline First Ever Concert at Christchurch's One NZ Stadium". New Zealand Music Commission. 4 December 2025. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  27. ^ "Let Him Entertain You: Robbie Williams to 'christen' Christchurch's new stadium, play Auckland gig". The Press. 17 March 2026. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  28. ^ a b "One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha: Sustainability Report" (PDF). Christchurch City Council. Te Kaha Project Delivery. 2024. p. 28.
  29. ^ a b c "Final look of stadium revealed". Newsline. Christchurch City Council. 29 October 2024. Archived from the original on 29 October 2024.
  30. ^ "Christchurch's new stadium a year out from completion". 1News. 14 April 2025.
  31. ^ a b "Celebrating sporting excellence in Christchurch, New Zealand". Mott MacDonald. Archived from the original on 12 July 2025.
  32. ^ "More than half of the steel at Te Kaha installed". The Press. 20 September 2024.
  33. ^ Jenny Barrett. "Countdown to Te Kaha: Christchurch's New Stadium Gears Up". CX Network.
  34. ^ "'Amazing for Christchurch': Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns embrace World Cup homecoming". NZRL. 23 November 2025. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  35. ^ "All Blacks to start 2026 in Christchurch as test venues confirmed". RNZ. 9 December 2025. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
  36. ^ "Black Ferns set for trois-Test showdown as France returns to Aotearoa in 2026". All Blacks. 3 December 2025. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
  37. ^ "Women's British and Irish Lions Tour 2027: Fixtures, schedule, venues for historic tour of New Zealand". Sky Sports. 21 January 2026. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  38. ^ "Super Rugby Pacific: Christchurch set to host Super Round in 2026 at Te Kaha". NZ Herald. 7 June 2025. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
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