Website launched to promote Christchurch’s new Te Kaha multi-use venue

Christchurch venue management organisation Venues Ōtautahi has today released a new website and imbedded video promoting the new Te Kaha multi-use venue.

Introducing new concept imagery for the stadium, which is scheduled to open in the winter of 2026, the website also promotes hospitality offerings and commercial partnership opportunities for the $683 million city centre venue.

Following yesterday's official launch of the venue at the Christchurch Town Hall on Tuesday, Te Kaha project delivery board chair Barry Bragg has advised that the cost burden for the venue's construction now rests with the building contractors BESIX Watpac.

As reported by RNZ, Bragg advised "a significant portion of the risk sits with them.

"They knew that coming into the project; that's why they were selected.

"They have experience in delivering these sorts of projects around the world, particularly in Australia.

"This is about a partnership and we've worked pretty closely with them and they're confident they can deliver."

A TVNZ Q+A Kantar public poll earlier this month revealed only 47% of Christchurch ratepayers believed the project was good value for ratepayers, while 41% of those surveyed disagreed.

By contrast, public consultation by Christchurch City Council showed 77% wanted the venue project to proceed.

This is despite average ratepayers being set to pay an extra $144 for two years from 2025 to pay for it.

Bragg said he believed Te Kaha would be a regional asset and confirmed there had been meetings with neighbouring councils.

Venues Ōtautahi Chief Executive, Caroline Harvie-Teare acknowledged local ratepayer fears, commenting "it's a scary big number and it wasn't one we expected in the early days.

"But this is going to be a venue that our city can be proud of, it's going to do more than what it is probably promising at the minute."

Harvie-Teare said central Christchurch will be transformed when the venue opened, adding "this is going to be more than just a venue, this is going to be a precinct and there are going to be other activations which will change the face of that side of the city."

The new website can be viewed at www.te-kaha.co.nz

Images: Concepts for the new Te Kaha venue. Credit: Christchurch City Council.