Graham Hill Roofing is proud to have designed and delivered the external roofing and wall installation package for the new stadium development, in collaboration with RoofLogic – a landmark project that will become a defining feature of the regions sporting and events infrastructure.
The roofing and wall assemblies were carefully engineered to manage reverberation, control external noise transmission, and enhance the spectator experience within the enclosed environment.
The installation of the stadium oculus required careful logistical planning. Roofing materials were delivered and staged on both the eastern and western sides of the building before being lifted into position using a 280-tonne crane fitted with a fly jib to achieve the required reach. Material build-up for the eastern side was completed in a single day, followed by the western side the next day. Given that roof installation extended over approximately eight weeks, all materials were securely strapped and protected to withstand weather exposure during this period.
This project demonstrates our capability to deliver fully integrated design and install commercial roofing and cladding solutions on technically complex, high profile public assets, where performance, precision, and safety are critical.
Christchurch Central
Christchurch City Council
Warren & Mahoney
Besix Watpac
Roof Logic, Roofing Industries, Fibertite, Pacific Coil Coaters, Bremick, KiwiFold NZ, Dristud
ROOFING, WALL CLADDING
One of the key challenges on the project was achieving sufficient reach to install the external fall protection nets. Initial planning indicated that a 56m boom lift would provide approximately 2m of additional reach; however, once on site, it became apparent that the machine was around 2m short of the required height. To overcome this, the team utilised temporary engineered platforms designed by BESIX, allowing the boom lift to be positioned at an elevated level and successfully complete the installation.
For the wall cladding installation, a dedicated crane strategy was implemented to safely lift materials to height. A crane originally intended to service roofing operations was also utilised by the cladding team to lift sheets and flashings, significantly reducing manual handling risks and preventing fatigue. The highest cladding sheets required lifting to approximately 42m above ground level. Smith’s Cranes supplied a 120-tonne crane fitted with a fly jib, which tracked around both sides of the stadium to support installation. Close coordination with the steel erection team, who maintained a lead of at least six bays, enabled an efficient workflow, while a follow-on team completed flashings immediately behind the cladding installers.
Weather conditions presented ongoing challenges throughout the project, with high winds, rain, and periods of ice impacting operations. To maximise productivity and work safely within suitable weather windows, some crews commenced work as early as 2:00–3:00am to take advantage of calmer conditions for craning activities. Despite the demanding environment and significant working heights, the team maintained excellent site control, with no materials becoming dislodged during the entire project. The roof sheets, measuring up to 35m in length, presented significant transportation challenges due to the narrow surrounding streets. Roofing Industries developed a specialised logistics plan to facilitate delivery to site, with all transports scheduled during the early morning hours to minimise disruption to normal traffic movements and ensure safe access to the project.
Access equipment selection was another critical consideration due to the project’s height requirements and the limited availability of large access machinery within New Zealand. Early planning focused on developing a methodology that would maintain programme requirements while securing the necessary equipment. In partnership with Total Access, the project secured a fleet comprising one 56m boom lift, two 44m boom lifts, one 42m boom lift, and one 27m boom lift. These machines were essential for completing the cladding, fall protection netting, and external soffit cladding installations around the stadium.
