Kia Ora from the Theatre Manager
The Waikato Regional Theatre is well on its way to its opening. This a massive project that has taken years of planning, funding, and negotiation to get to this point. As we head into the final stretch, here’s where things stand and what’s left to do.
The physical build is tracking well, with the last piece of structural steel being installed earlier this week, as you can read about below. That was a major milestone in getting the building ready for final fit-out and testing. There’s always a balancing act between timeline, budget, and quality, but we’re holding course with construction.
A venue of this scale doesn’t just open its doors overnight. The three months leading up to the public coming through the doors will be dedicated to phased initiation activities - testing technical systems, running soft openings, and making sure every part of the operation functions smoothly before we welcome full-capacity audiences.
Right now, a lot of my focus is on ensuring the Theatre is delivered on time and to the right standard. That includes making sure the technical infrastructure meets the demands of touring productions, optimising front-of-house and backstage workflows, and dealing with the usual last-minute challenges that arise in any major building.
The big development just before Christmas was, of course, announcing Live Nation as the Theatre’s operational leaseholder. Their involvement guarantees a strong pipeline of events and commercial viability, but it also changes the governance and operational landscape. I’m working with them through a process of defining roles, responsibilities, and expectations. This isn’t just about contractual agreements - it’s about making sure the Theatre serves both commercial and community needs.
Once the building is done, the real work setting up the Theatre’s operation starts - getting staff in place, refining systems, and stress-testing everything. I’m working to ensure a smooth transition from construction to operation, so the opening months aren’t spent playing catch-up.
This project exists because of significant philanthropic and public investment, so maintaining strong relationships with funders and donors, ensuring they’re kept informed, engaged, and excited about the opening is crucial.
At the same time, there’s always a need to keep key stakeholders aligned. The different parts of the Council, the funders and the operational partners, all have different priorities and parameters they’re working within. My job is to make sure everyone is pulling in the same direction and that everyone’s decisions reflect the bigger picture.
The next six months are about getting the building completed and turning it from a construction site into a fully functioning theatre. After that, it’s about making sure we open strong – creating a seamless experience for audiences, artists, and operators from Day One. It’s a big lift, but we’re close now.
In a year’s time, the Waikato Regional Theatre will be well into the swing of things, bringing world-class performances to Kirikiriroa Hamilton and the Waikato, delivering on the vision that’s been nearly a decade in the making. Thank you to all of you for your continuing interest and support, we’re nearly there!
Last call to Take a Seat, closes on 31 March
You have until 31 March to 'Take a Seat' in the new Waikato Regional Theatre, after which the named plaques will be made.
When you donate $1500 before that date, you or your family’s name, or your business or group’s title, will be displayed on a seat in the auditorium. To take a seat visit sharethestage.co.nz/takeaseat.
That date is also the end of all of Momentum Waikato's Share the Stage fundraising campaign for the Theatre, if you are considering a larger donation please contact Momentum ASAP via momentumwaikato.nz/contact.
Theatre site seen from KPMG building over three years
Here's a photo of the Theatre taken from the KPMG building earlier this week, click the link below to see the same view changing over the last three years.
See photos taken from KPMG since Feb 2022.
Waikato Times: Signing the steel - Milestone moment for regional theatre as final beam lifted into place
By Mike Mather, Thursday 27 February 2025.
Waikato Regional Property Trust chairman Ross Hargood adds a few extra names to the beam at the ‘signing of the steel’ ceremony, as former Momentum Waikato chief executive Kelvyn Eglinton looks on. Photo: Kelly Hodel / WAIKATO TIMES.
There were a few beaming faces and one big beam that was the centre of attention at the Waikato Regional Theatre on Wednesday.
The beam in question was a 600kg steel strut that was lifted into place atop the theatre’s flying tower, shortly after midday - but not before it was decorated with about 30 signatures of those who have had central roles in the project.
There were also speeches by Foster Construction project manager Ben Royfee and Waikato Regional Property Trust chairman Ross Hargood and a sausage sizzle for the workers.
Waikato Times: Theatre's new/old visage revealed as covers come off
By Mike Mather, Saturday 22 February 2025.
The first section of Waikato Regional Theatre façade has been spruced up and the striking masonry can now be seen by passers-by. Photo: Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES.
A glimpse of the future of downtown Hamilton - which also happens to be its past - can now be seen in Victoria St.
The newly-restored neoclassical façade of the 102-year-old Hamilton Hotel building - now the frontage of the Waikato Regional Theatre - has been unveiled with the removal of the first section of a scaffolding shelter surrounding the building.
The long-awaited appearance of the pristine plaster of the old hotel frontage is another visible milestone in the ongoing construction of the 1300-seat theatre that promises to revolutionise entertainment in the city.
“It looks fantastic. We are all really pleased with how it has come out,” Foster Construction site manager Dave Middlemiss said. “What you can see reflects all of the effort that has gone into preserving it.”
Waikato Times: Hospitality deal ‘close’ for Waikato Regional Theatre
By Stephen Ward, Monday 3 February 2025.
Hospitable - an artist's rendition of how the entranceway to the old Hamilton Hotel will look once the Waikato Regional Theatre is complete and open to the public this year. IMAGE: Jasmax.
Hospitality providers for the Waikato Regional Theatre are being nailed down and there’s confidence they’ll all be in place when the theatre opens later this year.
Craig Paul, of Hamilton-based hospitality sector consultants Table Talks, confirmed he was involved in “advanced negotiations” for a “local operator” to run the hospitality area.
He was confident a deal could be done in time for the ground-floor hospitality area to be open for the theatre’s launch.
Waikato Times: Inside job - Regional Theatre's interior rapidly taking shape
By Mike Mather, Saturday 25 January 2025.
The completed theatre will include a flat floor with moveable seating. This will provide standing and dancing space where required. The “black box” flying tower, from which pulleys for curtains and scenery backdrops are controlled, can be seen above. PHOTO: Mark Jephson / WAIKATO TIMES.
The Waikato’s new regional theatre is about to become a theatre of mystery - or, to describe it a little more eloquently, a masterpiece mystery theatre.
The Waikato Times was this week granted a tour of the building’s interior - a guided visit that provides more than a few hints of the sheer magnitude of splendour the Waikato Regional Theatre - due to open later this year - will provide the people of Kirikiriroa.
But it was also the last opportunity to take a gander at the grandeur for several months. Visits by anyone not directly involved in the construction are being curtailed as the building of the superstructure comes to an end and the fit-out of the interior picks up pace.