Construction of new Auckland arena underway

Picture / Dean Purcell

Putting a roof over the heads of 12,000 people - or at least making a start - is all in a day's work for construction staff on the Vector Arena at Quay Park in Auckland City. And a portable loo means they can keep hard at it.

The roof of the $80 million main arena building is 120m long and 100m wide. Though not scheduled for completion until next March, the arena already overshadows its stately neighbour, the former Auckland Railway Station.

When completed, the stadium will seat 12,000 people for sporting, entertainment and cultural events. The Auckland City Council is contributing $68 million to the arena, which is being built and managed by the QPAM company.