Te Kaha Stadium - Can it Deliver?

Christchurch's Apollo Projects stadium turned 13 last week, but it may well be its last birthday. 

The countdown is now on for the new state-of-the-art stadium at Te Kaha, and the local expectations are extremely high.

Caroline Harvie-Teare, CEO at Venues Ōtautahi, says they already have events booked. The Warriors and Wellington Phoenix are both on three-year contracts, to play at Te Kaha multiple times a year.

Although Apollo Projects stadium has been a stalwart and done its job, it was never really big enough. Only five All Black tests have been played there, and many concerts have been diverted further south to Dunedin.

The new stadium has brought along with it the expectation that these events will just return, but there is some skepticism. Christchurch has been a long time without any real major events, so can the city handle it?

Events had been reasonably successful in Dunedin, so there are questions surrounding what will make them come to Te Kaha.

Apart from just generally spreading them around, Harvie-Teare believes that the city of Christchurch could be a major drawcard for events. 

"Christchurch has a wonderful international airport, plenty of accommodation, and a brand-new stadium in the centre of the city, so all of those things add up to make Christchurch and One NZ stadium at Te Kaha an attractive venue."

Harvie-Teare was also confident in the ability of the stadium compared to Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr. She described it as a ‘complete multi-use stadium’ that would give Christchurch the opportunity to host events like UFC, boxing, tennis and some motorsports.

Locals who work and live near the stadium have their concerns with parking and traffic, but Christchurch City Councilor Lynette Ellis is confident the use of public transport will be key.

Harvie-Teare and Councilor Ellis did have different perspectives on personal car parking. Harvie-Teare told Metro News they intend to use car park buildings and business car parks, such as the ones owned by the Polytech.

Councilor Ellis just said it was likely there could be up to a 20-minute walk from park to stadium for those wanting to drive.

With Apollo Projects having plenty of car parking, it's going to be important for the success of Te Kaha that they get this part right.

There is still time for these details to be sorted, with the stadium set to open up in April 2026.