Delivering the first new speedway track in New Zealand in nearly 25 years, we provided project management expertise to ensure the venue was rebuilt on time, on budget, and ready to race on opening night.
For decades, Waikaraka Park has been home to racing and a deeply loyal community of speedway fans. When Auckland Council committed $11 million to upgrade and future-proof the historic venue, we were entrusted to lead the project, ensuring it aligned with a fixed opening date for the new season.
Services provided
Our team provided Project Management, Engineer to the Contract, and Quantity Surveying services, working hand-in-hand with Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, the Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board, the design team, contractors, and the speedway community.
The upgrade included:
- A new purpose-built racetrack constructed to international standards
- Speedway-specific safety wall and catch fencing
- New lighting towers producing 500lux across the racing surface
- Enhanced toilet blocks with accessibility and family facilities
- A larger pit area supporting up to 130 racers
- Heritage wall restoration celebrating the venue’s legacy
All delivered within a challenging & wet winter season live-venue environment and a tight programme.
Challenges
Winter construction, combined with over double the average rainfall, set the stage for a highly complex delivery environment. Beneath the surface, significant latent ground conditions were uncovered, requiring rapid reframing of our delivery strategy.
To maintain momentum and hold the immovable opening-night deadline, we:
- Re-phased the project to integrate design changes without impacting progress
- Increased weekly coordination among design, delivery, and venue stakeholders
- Applied continuous Value Engineering to protect the agreed budget
- Maintained constant programme reassessment to ensure practical completion
- Worked proactively with the Speedway Club to ensure race-readiness
This was a project where adaptability, pace, and clear communication made all the difference.
Success and value added
The upgraded Waikaraka Park proudly opened on schedule, greeted by excitement from fans, racers, and the community.
The new international-standard track:
- Enables faster, closer racing and enhanced spectator experience
- Improves driver safety, performance, and pit-side capability
- Supports the long-term growth and sustainability of speedway in Auckland
- Celebrates the heritage and the heart of a much loved local sport
The success of the Waikaraka Park Speedway Track Upgrade is a testament to what can be achieved with strong collaboration, decisive programme management, and unwavering commitment to community outcomes.
We are proud to have delivered a project that not only preserves the past but also puts Auckland speedway on the map for future generations of drivers and fans.
Our team
This project was led by a dedicated team:
- Warren Wilks – Project Director
- Andy Ling – Senior Project Manager
- Elina Zhao – Project Manager
- Corne Bodenstein – Senior Quantity Surveyor
