Stadium Taranaki has been redeveloped to support our vision of creating the best regional stadium in New Zealand that regularly hosts local, regional, national, and international sports and entertainment events.
The major project to redevelop the venue has included upgrades to the West Stand to ensure it meets the required earthquake standards and the rebuilding of the East Stand with a new fit-for-purpose flexible and scalable facility.
Taranaki Regional Council, as owner of the venue via the Stadium Taranaki Trust, has led the redevelopment which was undertaken after the East and West stands were found to be earthquake-prone and had to be closed in 2017 and 2018.
Work on the West Stand was completed in 2022 and the rebuilt East Stand was finished in April 2025, marking the end of the project and the start of a new chapter for Taranaki’s premier sporting venue.
At a glance:
- Stadium Taranaki was built in 2002 on the site of the old Rugby Park venue.
- Major events to be hosted at the stadium include the 2015 FIFA Under-15 World Cup, the 2011 Rugby World Cup, several All Blacks games and 17 Super Rugby matches.
- The stadium has been used for many community events including the Relay for Life and Multi-Ethnic Extravaganza as well as entertainment like the Crusty Demons, Nitro Circus and Freestyle Kings.
- The West Stand work has included earthquake-strengthening and a new roof.
- The East Stand could not be repaired so had to be demolished and a new stand has been built with more space for conferences and trade shows and the flexibility to be used by visitors watching the main pitch or outer fields.
- The stadium's capacity is 22,000. There is scalability to take the capacity up to the same as the old stadium for major sporting events.
- The floodlights have been improved with new eco-friendly LED lighting and a new hybrid pitch which is more resilient has been installed on the main pitch.
Funding the project
- The final budget for the redevelopment of the stadium was $79.7m, with the final cost of the project expected to be under this.
- The total contribution by Taranaki ratepayers remains under $50m, the same amount approved in 2019 after the public consultation and engagement process.
- The Council secured $30m in funding from the Government’s Infrastructure Reference Group Fund.
- Budget revisions were made during the redevelopment project due to the need to demolish and rebuild the East Stand as well as cost pressures and supply chain issues.
- The Stadium Taranaki targeted rate has remained the same.