Kordia designs and delivers seamless mobile connectivity solution at new One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha

Kordia to deliver a comprehensive Distributed Antenna System (DAS) that will bring mobile networks seamlessly into the new One New Zealand Stadium opening in Christchurch in 2026. 

Kordia is pleased to be playing a part in the delivery of Christchurch City Council’s new, state-of-the-art One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha, after winning a contract to build a bespoke solution that will ensure high-quality mobile connectivity and coverage at the stadium.

BESIX Watpac, who is delivering the stadium, has engaged Kordia to construct a comprehensive Distributed Antenna System (DAS) that will bring mobile networks seamlessly into the new complex.

Once the stadium opens in 2026, fans will be able to enjoy reliable mobile connectivity when visiting the stadium, even at sell-out concerts where peak crowds can connect to the network at once. 

BESIX Watpac Project Director – Construction NZ Brian Hayes says: “Good mobile connectivity is a critical component of the modern stadium, especially for a world-class, multi-use venue such as this.” 

“We’re delighted to be equipping the One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha with a robust solution that will ensure fans can get the best mobile connectivity when visiting the stadium,” says Brent La Franchie, Executive General Manager – Field Solutions at Kordia.

“Stadiums present unique connectivity challenges for mobile networks. 5G signals in particular struggle to penetrate through materials such as concrete and relying solely on outside mobile network infrastructure isn’t ideal as peak crowds connect simultaneously.

“Whether they’re at an All Blacks match or watching the world’s biggest music stars, fans will be able to easily post their snaps to social media and keep friends and family at home up to date. The solution we’ve designed will provide consistent, high-capacity wireless coverage from all the major mobile networks, preventing congestion that would occur if fans relied solely on nearby cell towers,” continued La Franchie. 

“It’s not just about the fan experience. Good connectivity can also enable IoT smart devices, sensors, on-field officials’ communications, and many other aspects of stadium infrastructure that can be planned for as part of a stadium-wide connected future. 

“Kordia has designed and built DAS solutions for some of New Zealand’s premier venues, such as the ANZ Centre in downtown Auckland and the PwC Tower at Commercial Bay in Auckland. We’re proud to now be bringing our connectivity expertise to what will be a fantastic Christchurch landmark.”

The build will involve more than 400 antennas and 50km of cabling – the length of 500 rugby fields.

Prior to Kordia winning the contract to build the DAS solution, it also secured the contract to design the solution itself. The design integrates the three leading mobile network operators (One New Zealand, Spark, and 2degrees) to deliver comprehensive 4G and 5G coverage and capacity across the entire venue. 

What is DAS?

Modern building materials such as reinforced concrete, insulation, and metallised glass often block mobile signals. The issue is amplified with 5G, which struggles to penetrate barriers compared to older technologies. Even when signals get through, crowded venues or workplaces with heavy data use can overwhelm networks, causing dropped calls and slow speeds.

DAS solutions solve this by placing antennas throughout a building and linking them to a central signal source. By efficiently distributing signals, DAS ensures reliable coverage and capacity indoors – even in high-demand environments like stadiums.