'Fantastic conclusion': Christchurch stadium savings trim future rates

Christchurch’s new stadium was completed almost six weeks early and “significantly” under budget – a combination set to trim future rates bills.

It has also been revealed that the project surpassed targets for engaging local workers and businesses on the build.

And governance costs, expenses associated with the general administration, compliance and strategic oversight of the stadium, also came in under budget in the last nine months of the project.

One NZ Stadium in Christchurch. Photo / Photosport

Construction on One NZ Stadium at Te Kaha began in April 2022, making it the largest project undertaken by Christchurch City Council.

About 4000 people contributed to the build, delivering approximately 2.4 million work hours.

Documents provided to the Christchurch City Council ahead of this week’s Finance and Performance Committee meeting have revealed that the total cost of the stadium was more than $26 million under budget.

The stadium had an approved total budget of $683,165,830, and the final spend was finalised at $656,557,018, which was a whopping $26,608,812 less than expected.

CCC finance and performance chair Sam MacDonald said the result was “a fantastic conclusion to the largest infrastructure project ever undertaken”.

“The team’s disciplined approach is a great example of local government delivering important infrastructure despite market volatility and global uncertainty, particularly post Covid,” he said.

“Delivering a state-of-the-art, world-class stadium for Christchurch has been a challenging undertaking. I’m proud everyone involved has worked hard to keep costs within the agreed budget and on time.

“This is a real credit to the council’s project team and everyone involved.”

Christchurch's new stadium was completed early and under budget. Photo / Smith Crane & Construction

The project had a target of engaging 70% of local businesses and 80% of local workers during the construction.

The report reveals 90% of all workers were from the South Island, along with 77% of consultants, subcontractors and supporting businesses.

Mayor Phil Mauger said the newly opened venue had resulted in “a real sense of momentum in the city” and was “already contributing to further investment and development”.

“And, [it] is a key part of cementing Christchurch as the sporting and cultural capital of New Zealand,” he said.

“This underspend is a testament to the hard work of everyone who played a part in bringing this incredible venue to life.”

Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger at the stadium during construction. Photo / George Heard

The report stated that governance costs for Te Kaha Project Delivery Ltd came in slightly below budget for the nine months leading up to the stadium’s opening.

Te Kaha Project Delivery Ltd is the governance body tasked with commissioning the design and construction of the stadium.

Its costs for the period ending March 31 were expected to be around $180,000.

“Actual expenditure is slightly below at $172,500 (-4%),” said the report presented to the council.

“The company ceased business operations following completion of the One NZ Stadium at Te Kaha on 13 March 2026. The handover of operations to Venues Ōtautahi occurred on 20 April 2026. The board’s tenure ends on 30 June 2026.”

The report also stated the early completion of the stadium would have a positive flow-on for ratepayers in 2028.

“There is a $26.6m saving for ratepayers. A 0.24% positive impact on rates will be realised in [financial year 2028] as a consequence of reduced borrowing for this project.”

The report confirmed that the project achieved “all planned outputs and deliverables”.

Caroline Harvie-Teare wants to see the impact of Christchurch’s new stadium for years to come.

Venues Ōtautahi chief executive Caroline Harvie-Teare described the new stadium as a venue people had “waited a long time for” and one that finally “feels like home”.

An assessment of longer-term strategic objectives and benefits will be reported on by Harvie-Teare’s team through quarterly reports to the council.

The Herald earlier reported that food vendors at One New Zealand Stadium received a record-breaking payday of more than $700,000 from the venue’s opening week.

The $683 million venue features some of Christchurch’s favourite food outlets, including Bacon Brothers, Black Burger, Pedro’s, Smokey T’s, Sheffield Pie Shop and Fush, operating across 32 food and beverage stands.

Among the opening-night offerings was a special double-fried steak-and-cheese pie sandwich for $17, created by the team at Christchurch restaurant Inati.

The Crusaders horses parade before kickoff at a recent Super Rugby match. Photo / Photosport

Last week a new revenue stream for the stadium was announced – public tours.

From changing rooms to coaches’ boxes, from next month fans and fascinated members of the community will be able to explore the back-of-house areas of the stadium.

The ticketed tours will start on July 24, allowing guests to explore parts of the stadium which have so far remained exclusive to players, entertainers and officials.

The Christchurch City Council-owned venues and events company will host multiple tours each week, including visits to the media and coaches’ spaces, suites, changing rooms, players’ tunnel and field side on the ground floor.

Public tours can be booked now on the One New Zealand Stadium website.

Tickets are $20 for children under 15 and $40 for adults.

For locals – with proof of residence – the price is $10 and $20, respectively.

Access to the venue and the tour route is all-inclusive of mobility devices – with flat surfaces and lifts between levels.

Anna Leask is a senior journalist who covers Christchurch issues as well as national crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for more than 20 years with a particular focus on family and gender-based violence, child abuse, sexual violence and homicides. She writes, hosts and produces the award-winning podcast A Moment In Crime, released monthly on nzherald.co.nz