New Zealand’s largest aquatic and indoor recreation facility, Parakiore, is a cornerstone of post-earthquake regeneration in Christchurch. AECOM overcame complex challenges to assist with the delivery of this world-class venue, which embeds sustainability and cultural identity.
Delivering New Zealand’s largest aquatic and indoor recreation facility
Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre is more than a building — it’s a symbol of resilience and regeneration for Christchurch. Spanning 32,000 square metres, the facility features all under one roof:
- A 50-metre Olympic-standard competition pool
- Toddler, leisure, spa and hydrotherapy pools
- An elite dive pool
- Hydroslides
- A splash deck and water adventure playground
- Multi-purpose courts
- High-performance training areas
Designed for accessibility, inclusivity and cultural identity, Parakiore will serve both community and elite sport for decades to come.
Guiding a complex infrastructure project with Early Contractor Involvement
We provided Project Management, Cost Management and Engineer to Contract services, steering the project through ground remediation, construction and pandemic disruptions.
Contract administration: Collaboration and fairness
Our team helped foster an environment which encouraged collaboration and transparent communication between contractual parties.
Progress was achieved through on-site visibility, replacing rigid exchanges with collaborative problem-solving. The Engineer’s Representative with support from the Project Management team were pivotal in administering contractual obligations, working through competing interpretations of entitlement — while maintaining fairness throughout and with a focus on achieving the best project outcomes.
This approach helped to resolve disputes, uphold safety standards and strengthen relationships.
Cost management and commercial leadership
Our Cost Management team played a critical role in navigating one of the most commercially complex projects in New Zealand. The team maintained financial accuracy and transparency by forecasting different contracting scenarios and verifying thousands of cost lines each month, keeping this complex project on track. This proactive approach, building robust data systems, analysing claims and strengthening positions, helped maintain confidence at every level.
An accessible facility for everyone
Parakiore is designed to touch every walk of life, from members of the public to Olympic champions. From hydroslides and sensory pools to elite dry-dive facilities, it offers experiences that are both fun and aspirational. For Christchurch, this is more than sport — it’s placemaking. It draws people back into the city, revitalising urban life and creating a hub for health and connection.
Embedding sustainability and cultural identity
Innovation didn’t stop at design. Parakiore features Australasia’s first building-scale Wastewater Heat Recovery system. The system captures thermal energy from wastewater. The wastewater is diverted through a pump station, macerator and heat exchanger to heat pools. The recovered wastewater energy can produce both chilled and heating water for pool and building operations. The system can offset 3MW of energy, reducing emissions and operating costs.
The name Parakiore was gifted by Ngāi Tūāhuriri and carries deep cultural significance. It refers to athleticism and agility; qualities associated with a traditional warrior culture and reflects the spirit of strength and resilience that underpins this facility. Cultural motifs and narratives inspired by local stories are woven throughout the design, ensuring the centre is not only functional but also a celebration of identity and heritage.
Delivering long-term community impact
The journey to deliver Parakiore reflects the scale and ambition of this landmark project. Overcoming complex ground conditions, evolving stakeholder needs and global challenges such as the pandemic required resilience and collaboration at every stage.
Today, Parakiore stands as a benchmark for innovation and partnership — a facility that will serve to empower high-performance sport at a local and national level, while providing a space for communities to thrive. For our team at AECOM, it represents the power of integrated delivery and the ability to shape lives through infrastructure.