The Crown and Council are committed to fast-tracking the process of designing and building Te Kaha, Canterbury's Multi-Use Arena.

On 12 August 2021 the Christchurch City Council approved for the Canterbury Multi-Use Arena to house 30,000 seats (and a minimum 36,000 full capacity in concert mode) and have a U-shaped level 1 concourse with a 'stage pocket' located at the northern end of the arena. 

Geotechnical investigations took place on the site from 2018 and were completed in mid-2021.

The preliminary design and the gifted name, "Te Kaha" were approved by the Council in January 2022, paving the way for the Kōtui consortium to proceed with the developed design as they work through the project's design phase. 

Following overwhelming support to a consultation where the Council asked the public if we should invest another $150 million to progress to the Design and Construction phase, the Council approved for the $683 million project to proceed on 14 July 2022.

Led by Australian-based stadium construction experts, BESIX Watpac, the Kōtui consortium responsible for delivering Te Kaha includes Christchurch-based construction companies Southbase Construction and Fulton Hogan, local seismic engineering specialists Lewis Bradford, Christchurch architects Warren and Mahoney, and global stadium design experts Populous and Mott MacDonald.

Early construction of Te Kaha began in June 2022, with main construction expected to begin late in 2022. 

As well as the timeline below, here's an in-depth timeline [PDF, 579 KB] of the milestones, studies and decisions that have taken place between 2011 and 2021. 

Timeline

2010-2011

Christchurch earthquakes significantly damage Lancaster Park.

2012

New multi-purpose sports and entertainment venue identified in Central City Recovery Plan.

Land designated by Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery for Multi-Use Arena.

2013

Cost-share agreement adopted between Crown and Council.

2015

Initial scoping study commissioned.

Council Long Term Plan allocates $253m to the project.

2017

Pre-feasibility study and strategic assessment completed.

Scope and affordability review completed.

2018

 Independent review finds both CMUA and Metro Sports Facility projects should proceed.

Geotechnical investigations begin.

2019

Investment Case approved by Council December 2019.

2020

Investment Case approved by Crown March 2020.

On-site enabling works begin April 2020.

Council-owned company and board that will project-manage the build is established May 2020.

CCRP draft amendment approved by Minister Woods and funding agreement between Crown and Council finalised August 2020.

2021

Kōtui consortium announced as the successful tenderer for the CMUA design and construction March 2021.

On-site decontamination works completed June 2021.

Agreement reached with NG Building owners to relocate building June 2021.

Barry Bragg appointed as interim CMUA board chair July 2021.

Updated design direction with 30,000 seats approved by Council August 2021.

2022

Preliminary design and gifted name 'Te Kaha' approved by the Council in January 2022.

Developed design completed in May 2022.

Early Works begins June 2022.

Council holds a public consultation regarding adding a further $150 million to the project, bringing the total to $683 million. 77% of almost 30,000 people supported the increase.

Council approves Design and Construction contract on 14 July 2022.

 

2026

Construction of the arena is estimated to be completed by mid-2026.