Rugby League Park in Addington is more than a stadium; it’s our home, a legacy, a living history. For over a century, it has been the heart of rugby league in Canterbury. Thousands of players have taken the field there. Whānau have celebrated milestones there. Some of our legends have even their ashes laid on that whenua.

After the earthquakes, Canterbury Rugby League relinquished our long-term lease 30 years early so the city could build a temporary stadium. We did this to help Ōtautahi recover, knowing our decision would allow All Blacks tests, major concerts and community events to continue during the rebuild. 

But the long-term impact on Canterbury Rugby League has been significant.

We lost our income streams, our gym, our home base and the assets we had invested in for decades. We moved to Ngā Puna Wai, a facility we value deeply, but the shift has come with higher operating costs and no substantial opportunities to generate revenue for our community.

Despite this, our game is booming.

• Record membership (3,562 players)
• Fastest-growing field sport in Canterbury
• Huge growth for tamariki, rangatahi and wāhine
• Primary school league nearly doubled
• Warriors games in Christchurch sell out every time
• On-going conversations about a South Island NRL team

Our community is growing fast, but we cannot continue to support that growth while being structurally and financially disadvantaged.

What We’re Asking Christchurch City Council

1. Guarantee full and formal engagement with CRL
   Our surrender was for the benefit of our City in a time of need. Our lease was due to run until 2044. CRL must be directly consulted on all decisions about the future of Rugby League Park.
   
   
2. Provide fair financial recognition and restoration
   CRL should not continue to be left worse off for doing the right thing after the earthquakes.
   
   This includes recognition of:
    - the decades of CRL’s financial investment
    - the loss of revenue and assets
    - the increased operating costs we now shoulder
   
   We also support exploring a Rugby League Park Trust to protect the future of the sport, much like Carlaw Park in Auckland.
   
   
3. Uphold cultural and spiritual respect
   Rugby League Park is a resting place for some of our whānau. Any transition of this whenua must uphold tikanga, and dignity and respect for those whānau.

Why We Need Your Support
Christchurch City Council must understand the size, strength, history and passion of the rugby league community in Canterbury, and across Aotearoa.

Your signature shows the Council that CRL matters, our heritage matters, our future matters, and our game deserves mana and respect.

This petition will be presented to Christchurch City Council alongside CRL’s official statement and any community submissions that are received.

Add Your Voice
Please sign to show your support for Canterbury Rugby League.

If you wish, share a memory, photos or a message about what Rugby League Park means to you please email info@crfl.co.nz 

Your stories will be shared (with permission) as part of our collective voice.

E tū e te hapori rīki o Waitaha.
Together, we will protect our past and secure our future.

Ngā mihi nui,

Canterbury Rugby League Board