Haumaru Sport & Recreation Centre
Tauranga is one of New Zealand's fastest-growing urban centres, and with that growth comes increasing demand for high-quality community infrastructure. Recognising the need for more indoor court space, Tauranga City Council acquired a former Warehouse retail site in early 2024 and partnered with Apollo to transform it into a state-of-the-art indoor sports facility.
Apollo was engaged under a negotiated Design and Build contract and assembled a specialist team to deliver the project. The result is the Haumaru Sport & Recreation Centre - a 4,500m2, multi-purpose venue that now serves as a major hub for local and national sporting events. The facility includes four full-sized basketball courts, three netball courts, five volleyball courts and up to 17 badminton or pickleball courts through flexible reconfiguration.
The centre also features seating for 1,500 spectators, 220 parking spaces (including underground), and full accessibility throughout. The flooring is premium Canadian maple hardwood, installed to international standards.
The seismic upgrade of the existing structure was a major technical challenge, particularly due to the limited load-bearing capacity of the basement carpark. Additionally, public confusion about the closure of The Warehouse led to frequent unintentional visits during construction. Apollo's strong local presence - with four permanent staff based in Tauranga - enabled responsive site leadership and deepened relationships with local stakeholders. The project engaged 99% local contractors and partnered with Architecture HDT and Structure Design, ensuring regional expertise was embedded throughout.
Haumaru is more than just a venue - it's the catalyst for community wellbeing, economic activity, and urban revitalisation. Located centrally with excellent transport access, the centre supports local leagues, enables new competitions, and draws visitors to Tauranga's CBD. It was delivered through a collaborative network including Bay Venues, Tauranga City Council, mana whenua, University of Waikato, Apollo Projects and local sports organisations.
