The story of Tākina
Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre enables Wellington to attract international and domestic conferences for the benefit of the city, region and country and to provide a place from which to share the stories of the nation.
This award winning building is the Capital’s largest built infrastructure investment since the Wellington Regional Stadium two decades ago. Since opening in June 2023, Tākina has provided event facilities across three floors and 18,000 sqm, drawing visitors to Wellington to learn, meet and be inspired.
A place to share
The top two floors deliver Wellington's first premium venue to host international conferences, with more than 10,000sqm of flexible meeting space. Tākina showcases the Capital’s expertise and thought leadership as it hosts established conferences and creates new ones to support Wellington’s key sectors.
A place to inspire
On the ground floor, a 1,280m² Exhibition Gallery hosts international touring exhibitions that draw both locals and visitors, while locally curated shows premiere here before touring offshore, taking Wellington's creative work to international audiences.
The building also houses convention facilities for conferences and events, an i-SITE visitor information centre, and Zephyr café. Together, these spaces support Wellington's role as a destination for both business and culture.
The building
Environmental responsibility is built into every aspect of the centre. Tākina has been awarded Five Green Star Design certification, the first convention centre in the country to achieve this standard, and holds Qualmark's Sustainable Tourism Business Gold Award. These certifications represent New Zealand excellence in environmental sustainability, energy efficiency and green building, demonstrating Tākina's commitment to responsible tourism and environmental stewardship.
The building’s design excellence has also been recognised at both international and local levels, placing second in the World-Architects Building of the Year Awards and winning the Public Architecture category at the Wellington Architecture Awards.
The design
Designed by Studio Pacific Architecture, Tākina’s iconic design draws inspiration from a wide range of sources, including its maritime location and Wellington’s dramatic and sometimes wild weather patterns and landforms. The Māori mythology of Te Upoko o Te Ika - the head of the great fish of Maui - is also represented within the architecture.
Benefit to the area
Built on a Council-owned site on Cable Street, opposite Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and near the waterfront, Tākina is a transformative addition to Wellington’s cultural and entertainment precinct. Increased visitor numbers continue to encourage private development and positive enhancement of the surrounding area.
Benefit to the economy
Since opening, Tākina has had a huge positive flow-on effect for the city’s hospitality, accommodation, and retail business. It supports 372 direct jobs and generates around $45 million a year in GDP to Wellington's economy, including money spent in hotels, restaurants, bars and shops.
Tākina Events
Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre is owned by the Wellington City Council and managed through Tākina Events, a partnership combining the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa event spaces and Tākina venue under a common brand and managed by Te Papa. All events held at Tākina and Te Papa help to support the mahi of Aotearoa New Zealand’s national museum.
Since opening in 1988, New Zealand’s national museum, Te Papa, has attracted millions of visitors from around the world and served as a leading events venue. Located directly across the road from Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre, Te Papa offers Tākina Events a further portfolio of spaces for events, with the additional benefit of years of exhibitions and events experience.