The public will get its first look behind the curtain at the new One New Zealand Stadium, with behind-the-scenes tours set to launch on July 24 offering a significant discount for the city's ratepayers.
The ticketed tours will grant locals and tourists access to the inner sanctum of the arena, including players' changing rooms, the coaches' boxes, corporate suites, media areas, and the tunnel leading to the hallowed turf. Standard ticket prices are set at $40 for adults and $20 for children, but Christchurch residents will enjoy a 50% discount, making the experience more accessible for the community that funded the facility.
A roaring start
The announcement follows a hugely successful opening period for the stadium, which has sold out its first seven event days since opening its doors. The venue recently hosted a record-breaking crowd for a women's domestic rugby match, with thousands cheering on Matatū. The commercial benefits are also being felt, with the recent Super Rugby round delivering a reported $13.1 million windfall for the city, reinforcing the stadium's role as a major economic driver.
We are privileged to operate the stadium on behalf of our community, the ratepayers of Ōtautahi, Christchurch so it’s important these tickets are accessible to all.
Venues Ōtautahi Chief Executive Caroline Harvie-Teare says the timing for launching the tours felt right after a successful operational settling-in period. 'The community has turned up in force for every event,' she says. 'Now that we’ve had an opportunity to get established at the venue, the timing is right to launch the tours programme and take guests behind the scenes into the exclusive spaces which only a small number of people get to see'.
More than a building
The tours aim to be more than just a simple walk-through of empty rooms. Venues Ōtautahi Director of Impact and Experience, Todd Schmidt, says the experience is designed to tell the story of the stadium itself.
'Our tours are about taking guests on a journey through what it took for us to get this stadium, the cultural narrative or the designs and artwork, the science of the turf, and some insight into what it takes to operate a world class facility,' Schmidt said.
Visitors will explore four levels of the complex, from the ground-floor facilities and Ōtautahi Lounge up to the media and coaches' spaces on level 4. The tour will also take in the Scenic Hotels’ Circle on level 3 and the various suites on level 2. Bookings can be made online via the stadium's website, with options for private group tours that include food and beverage packages.
The long road to Te Kaha
The opening of the stadium for public tours marks a significant milestone in a long and often arduous journey for Christchurch. The city was left without a major stadium after the old Lancaster Park was irreparably damaged in the February 2011 earthquake. The new covered arena, formally named Te Kaha, was identified as a key anchor project in the city's central city recovery plan.
The path to its construction was fraught with years of public debate, budget revisions, and planning challenges. The project's scope and, most contentiously, its cost were the subject of intense scrutiny from residents and city councillors alike. The final budget of $683 million represented a significant investment from ratepayers, a fact acknowledged by the 50% tour discount. The decisions involved in committing to such a large-scale public asset echo the difficult choices other New Zealand cities face when planning major infrastructure. For example, Auckland is set to host a major business expo for years to come. The Christchurch City Council's commitment to the project was ultimately driven by a vision to create a modern, world-class facility that could bring elite sport and entertainment back to the heart of the city, acting as a catalyst for further regeneration.
A new heart for the central city
Beyond the headline-grabbing rugby matches and concerts, the stadium is a symbol of Christchurch's resilience and forward momentum. Its location in the central city is designed to integrate with the surrounding hospitality and business precincts, bringing valuable foot traffic and vibrancy to the area. This aligns with a broader strategy to position Christchurch as a premier destination for major events, complementing a packed calendar of festivals and attractions.
The state-of-the-art turf and fully covered roof make it a versatile, all-weather venue capable of hosting everything from All Blacks tests and international football matches to major concerts and cultural events, securing Christchurch's place on the national and international touring map for years to come.
The new tours will now allow the public to gain a deeper appreciation for the facility they helped build, exploring the architectural features, cultural design elements, and complex operational systems required to run a venue of its calibre. It offers a chance to connect with a landmark that is set to play a central role in the city's life for decades.
