Christchurch's winter just got cooler — literally - with temporary ice skating rink set to be installed

Monday, 8 June 2026

An ice staking rink is set to open near the Cathedral Square in Christchurch for four weeks during June and July through the school holidays.

A corner of Christchurch’s Cathedral Square will become an ice rink for four weeks this winter.

Auckland-based company Paradice Events is bringing a 15m by 30m ice rink to the city from June 27 to July 26 through the July school holidays.

It will be set up on the corner of Hereford St and Colombo St on the edge of the square.

Christchurch City Councillor Aaron Keown pitched the concept last month of an ice skating rink in Christchurch - now it’s coming to fruition.

Paradice Events manager Jabel Martin said the nationwide ice rink company with permanent and pop-up rinks, had been looking for suitable sites to set up around the country and the Christchurch location had great foot traffic.

“We just see it as an opportunity. Christchurch has so many great things going on at the moment. It’s a real hot spot.”

The company also has temporary rinks in Taupo, Wellington and just outside Queenstown this winter.

Temporary ice rinks have set up in the central city over the years, including in the square in 2017.

The rink will be open from 10am to 10pm and cost $22 per person for a 90-minute session. Helmets will be compulsory and provided.

Martin said it would be great if they could get 10,000 people skating at the rink across the four weeks.

One person who will be watching to see how popular the rink is, is Christchurch city councillor Aaron Keown who last month pitched the idea of creating a full-size ice rink in the square for three to four months each year.

He raised the idea as a way to create a “night time economy” in the square.

Keown said the Paradice plan was great, because it gave him an opportunity to see how popular it was, but it would be much smaller than the one he was proposing.

Keown’s plan was to install a 50m by 30m rink, which could host figure skating competitions. It would be unlikely to have ice hockey, because they would need to erect safety barriers.

Paradice Events, a nationwide ice rink company with permanent and pop-up rinks, had been looking for suitable sites to set up around the country and the Christchurch location had great foot traffic.

The council has asked five groups to submit redesign proposals for the square, before it chooses one, which will be consulted on.

Keown said he hoped his proposal would be included in the future designs of the square.

A local company was willing to partner with the council on the project, he said.

The council has $26m budgeted to redesign the square.

Keown said his ice rink project would cost a fraction of that, but he would not say how much, because it was commercially sensitive, but said it was within six figures.

Cr Nathaniel Herz Jardine told RNZ last month he believed the rink would cost about $200,000 to set up.

Grass could be implanted on the site in the summer where it could host summer concerts.

Paradice Events managing director Chris Blong said the installation was designed to create more than just a skating experience.

“The Cathedral Square ice rink will encourage locals and visitors to enjoy the city centre, support surrounding businesses, and enjoy a memorable experience that adds energy, vibrancy and a strong sense of community during the winter months.”

The rink is expected to become one of the city’s must-visit winter attractions, offering activities for all ages and featuring themed nights throughout the season including Wednesday student discount nights, Skate & Date Thursdays and Groovy Fridays with top 40 hits.