Waikato Regional Theatre Construction Update - Issue 50

---

Published on 01 Sep 2025

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

It’s been great to recently hear positive feedback from locals about the Theatre – from the architecture and building restoration, to the hospitality offering, to the Theatre itself, it’s great to hear the growing sense of anticipation and excitement as we finish out this project.

With so much support, we’re confident the precinct will be a place to kaapunipuni, to come together, and a credit to the Waikato and its people. 

Progress on site

Highlights from the last month include the following. 

• Completion of the Hinuera stone cladding at the Embassy Park entrance.
• Significant progress in the installation of the Hamilton Hotel heritage stairway.
• Commenced installation of the Auditorium’s drum battens.
• Commenced installation of carpet tiles.
• Progressing installation of the stage-engineering equipment.
• Installation of the stage lift. 
• Commencement of some of the hospitality fit-out.
• Significant progress in the project’s ‘Public Realm’, namely Sapper Moore-Jones Place, Victoria St and Embassy Park.

Significant events coming up

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

• Completion of the stone cladding.
• Completion of back-of-house spaces, such as dressing rooms.
• Installation of the decking timber to the river deck and walkway.
• Installation of the final balcony fronts.
• Commencing commissioning of theatre systems, such as stage engineering.
• Continued interior fit-out will progress into second fix of services and floor coverings throughout.
• Continued progress of the Public Realm works.

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.