Waikato Regional Theatre Construction Update - Issue 48


Published on 01 Jul 2025

Teenaa koutou and welcome to the Hoongongoi-July 2025 edition of the Waikato Regional Theatre Construction Update.

There are 250-or-so workers on site each day at the moment, most of whom are doing the internal fit-out.

Those teams you may see around the outside of the building are working on the site’s ‘Public Realm’, in particular lower Embassy Park and Sapper Moore-Jones Place.

In the latter case, temporary traffic management is in place on that south side of the site, to help vehicles and pedestrians navigate Sapper Moore-Jones Place. Please be respectful of the teams working there, and know that businesses are and will remain open. 

Progress on site

Highlights from the last month include the following. 

  • Excavation and groundwork in lower Embassy Park, to create the river-facing deck there.
  • Installation of the acoustic halo and progress on putting in the associated reflectors. Together these will evenly disperse the sound throughout the Auditorium, ensuring a world-class acoustic experience, no matter where you are sitting.
  • Return of the first of the restored timber heritage components from the old Hamilton Hotel.
  • Installation of the stair treads on the floating staircase in the main Foyer.
  • Completion of certain back-of-house spaces, such as dressing rooms.
  • General progress on the internal fit-out, including plastering, painting, ceilings, and flooring.

Significant events coming up

The following progress is expected to occur in the next month

  • Installation of the restored Queen’s Staircase.
  • Commencement of the stone cladding at the Embassy Park entrance.
  • Installation of the stage lift in the Orchestra Pit.
  • Continuation of the interior fit-out will progress into second fix of services and floor coverings throughout.
  • Continued progress on the Public Realm works.
WRT from the river
The Waikato Regional Theatre seen from Parana Park across the river last week.

Overall Programme

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

  • Site Set Up - Completed
  • Demo - Completed
  • Earthworks - Completed
  • Foundations - Completed
  • Structure - Completed
  • Envelope - Completed
  • 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.