Christchurch pips Auckland as NZ crane capital

Cranes are a dominant feature of the skyline in New Zealand's major cities. Photo / Greg Bowker

Major centres are sprouting a growing crane population, with 76 cranes now on big sites.

The Rider Levett Crane Index shows Christchurch is the country's crane capital, with 31 of the giants, followed by Auckland with 26, Hamilton with seven, Wellington with six, four in Queenstown and one each in Dunedin and Tauranga.

Chris Haines, Auckland director of consultants Rider Levett Bucknall, said national crane numbers rose 7 per cent during the past six months.

"The Four Avenues area of Christchurch has recorded a 41 per cent increase in the number of cranes counted on its city skyline in the past six months. Twenty-one cranes have been removed or dismantled as projects or parts of larger projects near completion but 30 new cranes are now onsite, making Christchurch the NZ crane capital," Haines said.

Cranes are on the sites of the Justice Precinct, Cashel Square, Awley development and many are in the reconstruction zone in Gloucester St, Cambridge Tce and Hereford St. Work has also started at the Southern Cross Hospital and Christ's College, according to Haines.

In Auckland, the crane population rose 4 per cent in the past six months, including at Metlifecare's The Poynton between Takapuna and Milford and an additional crane on the University of Auckland's science centre project on Symonds St. Cranes are on apartment blocks rising in Howe St, Ponsonby, Eden Tce, and Exmouth St.

Queenstown has seen a big increase in the number of cranes with three new ones erected, all for commercial projects - one in Shotover St and two in Frankton. A single crane had been erected at the Shotover Primary School, Haines said.

"Wellington has remained steady with six cranes, equal to the previous count. For the residential sector there has been a crane removed at each of Rugby St, Cable St and Clyde Quay and the continuation of Taranaki St, leaving just one crane for the residential sector.

"Civil maintain two cranes with the continuation of Buckle St tunnel and the commercial sector has one crane each for commencements at Wigan St, The Terrace and Waterloo Quay."