Lighting up the Wellington Waterfront: Branding HNRY Stadium
When the opportunity came up to provide new signage for the new HNRY Stadium in Wellington, Displayworks jumped at the challenge and was commissioned to design, engineer and install the exterior illuminated signage across what was formerly Sky Stadium. As one of New Zealand’s most recognised sporting venues and an iconic structure on Wellington’s waterfront, this project required extensive planning, close collaboration and specialist expertise to handle the delivery and installation of this mammoth project.
Delivered by the signage experts
Branding a large site - especially one as visible as the Wellington Stadium - takes a lot more than simply building highly complex illuminated signage. From initial tendering through to the fi nal install, projects of this scale require technical expertise, extensive project planning across many moving parts and close collaboration with interested parties to ensure the signage is installed without a hitch.
Our 18-strong Displayworks team consisted of project managers, design engineers, structural engineers, lighting engineers, fabricators, painters and on-site installers, all working together to create a spectacular branding experience - installed safely, efficiently and with minimal disruption, whilst also meeting game day deadlines.
Let’s just say the scale of the team matched the scale of the task at hand. With the main logo signage measuring approximately 40 metres in length, the “H” in HNRY alone is 4.8 metres high. Combine that with installation taking place approx 28 metres above ground level on the exterior curved surface of the stadium - just getting the signage into place safely was a feat in itself. Alongside the physical installation challenges, the structure also had to withstand the harsh Wellington environment and exposure to sea spray and high winds. Specialist structural engineering, lighting and safety planning all played a critical role in ensuring the signage was up to the task.
Impact backed by Innovation
Designed to be highly visible around the clock, the HNRY signage incorporates innovative colour-change technology to ensure maximum impact and brand alignment around the clock. In daylight colours, the signage projects HNRY’s signature purple branding. At night, the signage transforms, projecting bright white lighting across the exterior curves of the stadium, creating an eye-catching presence across the capital's waterfront.
The signage itself was fabricated using full engineered aluminium internally illuminated channel lettering, integrated with 24 volt LED systems and drivers to ensure consistent illumination output and long-term durability.
A landmark installation
Engineered to perform, the clever use of illumination technology ensures the HNRY branding delivers impact around the clock, elevating the stadium exterior into a striking display of colour and light across the Wellington waterfront. Combined with end-to-end project management and a custom-engineered installation developed specifi cally for Wellington’s harsh environmental conditions, the result is a bold branding installation built for long-term performance, visibility and impact.