Waikato Regional Theatre Construction Update - Issue 51

Waikato Regional Theatre Construction Update - Issue 51

Published on 06 Oct 2025

Teenaa koutou and welcome to the penultimate edition of the Waikato Regional Theatre Construction Update!

Construction of the Theatre itself is in the home stretch. Final finishes are going up all around the complex, with many back-of-house spaces fully finished. She really is a thing of beauty and all those who have contributed, from the donors through to the tradies on site, should be very proud of what has been accomplished together.

The other exciting news last week was the official opening date announcement. Between construction completion and opening, LiveNation will take occupancy and undertake the necessary fitout and training to welcome performers and patrons from January 2026.

Progress on site

Highlights from the last month include the following.

  • Completion of the riverside deck.
  • Completion of the feature staircase in the foyer.
  • Nearing completion of the stage-engineering equipment.
  • Significant progress of floor finishes throughout.
  • Commencement of heritage tiling at the entrance.
  • Continuation of services commissioning.
  • Significant progress in the ‘Public Realm’, AKA Sapper Moore-Jones Place, Victoria St frontage, and Embassy Park.

 WRT at dusk

The Waikato Regional Theatre at dusk a few weeks back.

Significant events coming up

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

  • Completion of the floor finishes throughout.
  • Commence commissioning of the stage-engineering system.
  • Continuation of defect remediation and commissioning.
  • Continued progress of the Public Realm works.

The Waikato Regional Theatre seen from the south-west on 19 August. 

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.