July 7, 2022 | By Bronwen Largier
The under-construction convention and exhibition centre in New Zealand’s capital city is “well on track” to open in mid-2023, says Wellington’s business events bureau, with the first event set to be the Festival for the Future in June next year.
The environmentally sustainable façade of the building featuring around 1,300 glass panels is complete, while the completion of the roof was celebrated with a “roof shout” a couple of weeks ago.
The new convention centre has locked in more than 70 events in its pre-opening period to date, with over 50 of those set for its first year. With New Zealand’s international border reopening, interest from international event organisers has grown, according to Business Events Wellington.
“Tākina is quickly becoming a recognised and exciting new landmark in Wellington,” said GM of commercial development for Tākina at Wellington City Council, David Perks.
“Conference organisers are finding that the spaces in Tākina are versatile which, combined with being in the heart of the city, will deliver the conference experience they are seeking for their delegates.”
The two-level venue will have capacity for plenary audiences of up to 1,600, with conferences and events currently booked into the centre for between 300 and 1,500 delegates, with dates up to 2026.
Tākina will be managed by Tākina Events, a newly formed body which takes in the existing expertise of the management organisation behind Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum which sits across the road from the new convention centre.