Semenoff Stadium | Northland Events Centre

Okara Park, currently known commercially as Semenoff Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Whangarei, New Zealand.

It is currently used mostly for rugby union matches and is the home stadium of Northland Rugby Union.

Stadium Redevelopment
The Semenoff Stadium redevelopment was completed in May 2010 at a cost of $18.5 million. Northland Regional Council contributed $13 million and Whangarei District Council $3 million towards the new Northland Events Centre.

Central Government contributed an additional $2.5 million to allow the events centre facility to meet Rugby World Cup 2011 standards.

The new facility was designed by Copeland Associates Architects and built by Argon Construction. It was officially opened by His Excellency The Right Honourable Sir Anand Satyanand the Governor-General of New Zealand one year after completion on 28 May 2011.

Prior to the redevelopment Okara Park as it was known, was predominantly used for rugby union events and managed by the Northland Rugby Union.

The old facilities served the Whangarei region for the previous 40 years but had reached the end of their economic life.

The old grandstand built in 1965 was not up to the required standard to host high quality sporting fixtures, concerts, cultural events or major functions.

While Northland Rugby is an anchor tenant for the stadium, this is no longer the focus of the event centre.

The event centre provides opportunities for the Northland region to have a quality, well planned and fully equipped venue for major sporting, entertainment, cultural and family events.

The venue has a capacity of 18,500.

Access
Access to the main grandstand, the terraces and the embankment is via Gate A and Gate B.

Access to the ARC Security Lounge, Level 3 Lounge and Level 2 Main Lounge is via the East Corporate entrance at the front of the building on Okara Drive.

Access to the NZ Vikings Lounge is via the West Corporate entrance at the front of the building on Okara Drive.

Access to Corporate Suites 1 - 7 is via the East Corporate entrance and access to Corporate Suites 8 - 15 is via the West Corporate entrance.

Access to the Media Centre is via Gate A.

Location
Semenoff Stadium is conveniently located on Okara Drive 2kms from the CBD and 9 kms from the Whangarei Airport.

Parking
Parking is available in the car park at Semenoff Stadium (usually a car park pass is required for sports events).

There are 12 disable parks located in the car parks in close proximity to the entrances.

There are four bus parks at the western end of the Stadium car park. A drop off zone is located adjacent to the stadium on Okara Drive.

More parking is available at Cobham Oval, Port Road, Okara Drive, Porowini Ave and surrounding streets.