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Stadium Facts

The Turf

  • Turf area 15,050m2
  • Grass species: Two varieties of perennial Ryegrass (Lolium Perenne)
  • USGA spec. sand profile (300mm depth)
  • The gradient of the turf is 300mm elevation from the centre to the outside edge
  • Target grass heights:
    • Rugby/Rugby League/Aussie Rules is 25-30mm
    • Football 18-22mm
    • Cricket is 10-12mm
  • Primary drainage system
  • There are 64 sprinkler heads
  • Eight quick coupler valves
  • The pitch is mowed daily
  • The field is watered every second day when required

PORTABLE WICKETS

  • Three clay wickets and one sand tray
  • In 2005 two wickets and the sand tray were built
  • One wicket was built in 2014
  • Soil is Patamahoe clay and grass is Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium Perenne)
  • Match day target soil moisture range 24-28%
  • Match day target soil bulk densities 1.30-1.50gms/cm3
  • Wicket and sand tray depth 200mm
  • Each wicket measures 25m x 3m
  • Cricket boundary sizes:
    • North 80m
    • East 58m
    • South 80m
    • West 62m
  • Wicket move duration is four hours

INITIAL CONSTRUCTION OF THE TURF IN 1999

  • 7,930 tonnes of sand went into making the pitch.
  • 2,800 tonnes of drainage gravel was used.
  • 900 kilograms of grass seed was used with three different type of grass seed - two perennial ryegrass and one creeping fescue.
  • 1200kg of fertiliser was used.
  • A centre wicket square was constructed consisting of five wickets. This was removed in 2005/6 in favour of portable wickets. 

ARTIFICIAL ROAD

  • Total area 1343m2
  • Construction time was 16 days
  • 3m wide
  • Approximately 450m long
  • FIFA II compliant

TURF RENEWAL: 5-20 DECEMBER 2016

  • Total time to complete was 16 days
  • 40 personnel
  • New turf established off-site at a turf farm in Auckland from 5 May 2016
  • 130mm in depth removed across the original surface
  • Material removed from original surface:
    • 2440 cubic meters
    • 3443 ton
  • Nine days to remove spoil and level the surface
  • Seven days to turf the Arena (total Arena area is 16,400m2)
  • 16 days to construct the artificial road 
  • Turf roll size: 13m x 1m = 13m2 approximately one ton each
  • Total truck loads of turf = 43
  • Turf rolls per truck = 28
  • Total turf rolls = 1204

How many...

  • Total number of seats: 34,500
  • Number of public seats (non-members, non-boxes): 31,000
  • Number of covered seats: 24,000
  • Number of corporate boxes: 62
  • Bowl site size: 48,000 sqm
  • Number of piles: 410
  • Roof size: 12,000 sqm
  • Height from arena to roof: 26 metres
  • Height of light tower: 55 metres
  • Length from end to end: 235 metres
  • Width west to east: 185 metres
  • Width of pitch (widest point): 135 metres
  • Length of pitch (widest point): 162 metres
  • Number of turnstiles: 43
  • Number of escalators: 3
  • Number of goods lifts: 2
  • Number of toilet pans: 383
  • Number of urinals: 275
  • Number of television sets: 270
  • Food and beverage outlets: 15
  • Mobile beverage outlets: 9
  • Northern replay screen: 84 sqm
  • Southern replay screen: 52 sqm
  • Length of the concourse: 650 metres
  • Width of the concourse: 14 metres
  • Length of walkway to rail station: 680 metres
  • Emergency Evacuation time: 8 minutes
  • Carparks on site: 850
  • Staff numbers on event days: 400-1000
  • Staff numbers on non-event days: 25-50
  • Height of the goal posts: 15 metres

Other Info

  • The four lighting towers use the Signify (Philips) ArenaVision LED floodlighting fittings. These are designed exclusively for sports and multi-purpose venues, and were commissioned in June 2023 ahead of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023.
  • There are 53 LED fittings per tower (212 total), plus the rim lights which are set up in four zones with 48 per quarter (192 in total) giving a grand total of 404 LED floodlight fittings all up.

The Entrance Gates

Te Uruhau, the main entrance design, was created by Te Oranga Whareaitu on behalf of the Wellington Tenths Trust. The Wellington Tenths Trust represents the descendants of Taranaki whānui who were owners of Wellington and the Hutt Valley in 1840.  

1. Rua Taranaki (The Mountain)

  • The centrepiece represents Rua Taranaki (the mountain) as viewed from the north side. It symbolises the hurdles overcome by people as they strive to achieve their goals.

2. Te Raukura (The Feathers)

  • Overlaid on the mountain are three white feathers representing the Raukura, an important symbol to the iwi who affiliate to the Taranaki rohe:
    • He whaikororia ki te Atua i runga rawa - Glory to God on high
    • He maungārongo ki runga i te whenua - Peace on earth
    • He whakaaro pai ki ngā tāngata katoa - Goodwill to all mankind
  • As people enter and leave the Stadium, they pass under the Raukura, as a symbol of peace and a reminder to maintain a spirit of friendship and unity in the face of competition.

3. Manaia (Stylised Carved Figures)

  • The Manaia figures on either side of the mountain – on the left is a Wāhine Toa (female warrior) and on the right, is a Tama Toa (male warrior) - are the Kaitiaki or guardians of the Stadium.

4. Ka Awatea (The Spirits)

  • These spiral sculptures signify the dawn of a new day and new beginnings, and the new challenges that this brings.

5. Kowhaiwhai (Façade)

  • This pattern depicts Tangaroa, guardian of all sea and waterways and Nga Mangōpare, the hammerhead sharks.
  • “Kia mate mangōpare kei mate wheke” – “It is better to die like a hammerhead shark than an octopus.”  This proverb reminds us to never give up and fight until the end, symbolic of two teams meeting in competition on the field.