Auckland CBD is largely empty of long-term tower cranes, leaving Christchurch’s new Te Kaha Stadium dominating New Zealand with 10 cranes operating there lately.
In a graphic illustration of where the economy is growing, quantity surveyors Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) today released its quarterly crane index.
That found 116 long-term cranes were operating throughout New Zealand in this year’s third quarter between July and September.
From this year’s first to second quarters, national crane numbers reduced sharply by 15% and were down 23.5% in the harder-hit Auckland market.
The 56-level Shundi Customs development, Seascape on Customs St East, has Auckland‘s tallest tower crane.
A tower crane is on the $120 million Pompallier on Ponsonby, where CMP Construction is building shops, offices and apartments for Urban Collective, headed by Kelly McEwan.
Other fringe city developments, particularly around St Mary’s Bay, also have tower cranes.
For example, at 87 Shelly Beach Rd overlooking Westhaven above the motorway, GN Construction has a tower crane on its eight-unit apartment scheme for Vanguard & Co in a Monk Mackenzie design.
RLB said that lately, Auckland tower numbers had risen marginally, although it is more a suburban than CBD recovery.
Brad Coley, RLB associate director based in Auckland, noted the CBD’s lack of cranes.
“The number of cranes are down in the Auckland CBD, particularly compared to 2022 when it was much busier. Cranes are more around the outer CBD now,” Coley said.
In the seven key centres, 116 long-term cranes were recorded on developments this quarter, he said.
Of those, 59 cranes were in Auckland, 23 in Christchurch, 14 in Tauranga, 12 in Queenstown, five in Wellington, none in Dunedin and three cranes were in Hamilton, he said.
Te Kaha Christchurch Stadium remains the New Zealand’s busiest construction site, with the $683m project set to accommodate 30,000 sports spectators and 36,000 concert-goers once completed.
Smith Crane & Construction won the 2025 project of the year award from the New Zealand Crane Association for that stadium.
“This project has allowed Smith Crane & Construction to gain valuable experience and knowledge in the construction of large-scale stadiums and has been a great challenge for all involved,” it said.
New Auckland cranes erected in 3Q25
Regionally, Auckland has the most cranes with 59, which is more than half the national total, Coley said.
More cranes went up in Christchurch, Hamilton, Queenstown and Tauranga in the third quarter.
Crane numbers in Wellington and Dunedin fell in 3Q25 compared to 2Q25, mirroring the more subdued economic performance, Coley said.
Wellington numbers dropped to a record low of five cranes after a brief recovery in Q1, with three cranes removed. Only Wellington and Dunedin recorded net decreases.
Anne Gibson has been the Herald‘s property editor for 25 years, written books and covered property extensively here and overseas.