Waikato Regional Theatre Construction Update - Issue 49

Published on 04 Aug 2025

Teenaa koutou and welcome to the Here-turi-kookaa August 2025 edition of the Waikato Regional Theatre Construction Update.

This remarkable building is truly taking shape. With the large birdcage scaffold now removed from inside the Auditorium and Flytower, the scale and grandeur of the space is becoming apparent.

Behind the scenes, many of the back-of-house rooms are nearing completion, and work is swiftly progressing on the front-of-house areas as well. We’re eagerly counting down the days until we can celebrate and showcase the extraordinary efforts of the hundreds of talented individuals who have poured countless hours into bringing this vision to life.

Progress on site

Highlights from the last month include the following. 

Installation of the restored heritage elements to their new homes, including the original Hotel’s portals, the Queen’s Powder Room suite, some stair portions and leadlight windows.

  • Framework and balustrade for the river-facing deck and walkway.
  • Completion of the reflectors in the Auditorium.
  • Commenced construction of the sprung stage floor.
  • Installation of joinery throughout the building.
  • Commenced installation of the timber finishing to the foyer stairs.
  • Progress of internal fitout, including plastering, painting, ceilings, and flooring.

Significant events coming up

The following progress is expected to occur in the next month

  • Completion of stone cladding at the Embassy Park entrance.
  • Installation of the decking timber to the river deck and walkway.
  • Installation of the curtain tracks within the Auditorium.
  • Interior fitout will progress into second fix of services and floor coverings throughout.
  • Continued progress of the Public Realm works.
WRT from NE June 2025
The Waikato Regional Theatre seen from the north-east a few weeks back.

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.