All eyes on the events agency behind Te Kaha stadium
Saturday, 4 October 2025
Christchurch’s venue operator has posted record event numbers and a modest surplus, saying it is well positioned to take on the city’s new $683 million stadium when it opens in April.
Venues Ōtautahi had its busiest year since before the pandemic, with 718,000 guests across 408 events - up 12% from 642,000 and 386 (6%) the year before.
Its recently released annual report shows its $1.1m surplus was driven by stronger-than-expected event income, commercial agreements and what it described as stringent cost control.
Chief executive Caroline Harvie-Teare said the organisation was “certainly well positioned financially as we look forward”, with conservative forecasts and strong demand for premium hospitality and naming rights partnerships already secured.
Although Te Kaha opens in April, the 2025-26 financial year will only include about 10 weeks of stadium operation. The full financial impact won’t be seen until the following year.
The company expects its economic benefit to more than double to $100m in 2026-27, up from $41.8m this year. These figures include both direct spending from visitors and wider flow-on effects.
“There’s going to be such high demand… You just never know, it could go beyond that,” Harvie-Teare said.
It will also stop receiving an operating grant from the Christchurch City Council, which was about $3.5m this year.
“All publicly owned venues around the world have an owner funding them. We’re really proud of where we’re at - reducing operating support to zero and self-funding major events.”
To prepare for the stadium’s opening and expected surge in event activity, Venues Ōtautahi is doubling its casual workforce from 500 to 1000 over the next six months, while permanent staff numbers will only increase by 10 to 15%.
The stadium is due to be completed on April 20, with its first event a Crusaders Super Rugby Pacific match four days later. A period of operational testing and community open days are also planned.
Harvie-Teare said Venues Ōtautahi planned to announce its first major entertainment acts for Te Kaha in November or December, with 2026 expected to be a “pretty exciting time” for live events in Christchurch.
Venues Ōtautahi is a council-controlled organisation, fully owned by the Christchurch City Council. It operates the city’s major venues including the Town Hall, Wolfbrook Arena, Apollo Projects Stadium and from 2026 the new Te Kaha stadium.
It earns revenue from venue hire, catering, ticketed events and commercial deals and receives an annual operating grant from the council.
Venues Ōtautahi ended the financial year with $13m in cash and a $1.1m operating surplus. Revenue beat expectations by $2.8m, and earnings before tax and depreciation came in $3.1m above budget.
However, its accumulated deficit now sits just under $100m - largely the result of Covid-era losses, reinvestment, and the high cost of maintaining large civic venues.
The deficit does not mean the company is in debt, but it reflects losses built up over time, and is not unusual for a public venue operator.
Its latest Statement of Intent projects that by 2027, the company will host more than 900,000 guests and 550 events each year. Much of that growth is expected to come from Te Kaha, which the company says will host about 200 events annually once fully operational.
That includes a mix of concerts, sport, business events and community use, although exact breakdowns are not yet public.