Teenaa koutou and welcome to the Poutuu-te-rangi March 2025 edition of the Waikato Regional Theatre Construction Update.

The project has achieved several major milestones in the last few weeks – structural steel is completed, the cranes have been removed, and the first section of the restored heritage façade has been revealed.

If you’re walking past on either side of the river you now really get a sense of what an amazing building this will be. We recommend popping down to Victoria on the River and looking upstream to get a great view of the Hinuera-stone-clad walls, Auditorium structure and the crowning glory of the Fly Tower. 

 

Progress on site

Highlights from the last month include the following.

  • Completion of all structural steel work.

  • Installation of pre-cast panels around the Fly Tower.

  • Removal of the tower cranes.

  • Unveiling of the first section of the restored heritage façade, and progress on restoring the second.

  • Removal of scaffolding from along the north-facing wall.

  • Progress at pace on internal fit out.

Significant events coming up

The following progress is expected to occur in the next month.

  • Completion of the Fly Tower roof.

  • Enclosure of the spaces vacated by the tower cranes.

  • Commence installation of Hinuera stone on the internal walls.

  • Continued installation of the bleachers in the Auditorium.

The scene yesterday as truck cranes prepare to bring down the second tower crane.

Overall Programme

The WRT’s construction programme has been updated as follows.

  • Site Set Up                                      Completed

  • Demo                                               Completed

  • Earthworks                                      Completed

  • Foundations                                    Completed

  • Structure                                         Commenced - Due for Completion early 2025

  • Envelope                                         Commenced - Due for Completion mid 2025

  • Construction Completion              Due for Completion 2025

  • Fit out and Commissioning           Due for Completion 2025.

 

Communications

Foster Construction team email for any queries relating to this project - queries.wrt@fosters.co.nz.

 

About this Update…

These Waikato Regional Theatre Construction Updates are produced by Graeme Ward and Georgia Osman from RDT Pacific, the Theatre’s Overall Project Manager, assisted by Mark Servian from Momentum Waikato, their Communications and Marketing Manager.

These newsletter issues are posted at the website waikatoregionaltheatre.co.nz – the dedicated web address for construction news and contacts, separate from Momentum Waikato’s theatre community and fundraising site sharethestage.co.nz.