issue-52

Waikato Regional Theatre Construction Update - Issue 52

Published on 03 Nov 2025

Teenaa koutou and welcome to the FINAL Construction Update for the Waikato Regional Theatre project!

Yep, we’re now in the last month of the build. Soon you’ll see some of the new hospitality venues within the rebooted Hamilton Hotel on Victoria St opening for business, giving the public the first opportunity to see inside this restored heritage landmark.

Within the Theatre itself, the main tasks this month are commissioning and defect review and correction.

The majority of the surrounding public spaces will also be completed in November, though you will see a few final activities going on into December.

While it may well appear that the site has gone quiet as Christmas approaches, the Theatre will still be a hive of activity on the inside, as LiveNation move in and do their set up and training ahead of opening in January 2025.

There is an ever-increasing number of events planned for 2026, including a stellar lineup of homegrown talent to launch the new space. You can learn more about upcoming events and purchase tickets on Live Nation’s new Waikato Regional Theatre website.

Progress on site

Highlights from the last month include the following.

  • Commissioning of the stage engineering and SLAV systems.
  • Commenced installation of the auditorium seating.
  • Completion of the tiling in the heritage entrance and Atrium.
  • Completion of many of the back-of-house spaces.
  • Completion of paving along the Victoria St frontage.
  • Commenced work on the loading dock.
  • Significant progress on the Public Realm works - Sapper Moore-Jones Place, Victoria St, and Embassy Park.

Significant events coming up

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

  • Theatre seat installation.
  • Drape installation.
  • Completion of the final stage elements.
  • Final commissioning and defect correction.
  • Completion of the majority of the Public Realm works.
WRT Atrium
The Atrium between the new Hamilton Hotel and the Theatre.

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 - Late November  2025
  • Fit out and Commissioning - Late November 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.