The new conference and exhibition centre in Wellington, Tākina, has officially opened, marking the beginning of a bustling year ahead with more than 50 multi-day conferences already booked.

The grand opening on Wednesday commenced with a morning blessing performed by Taranaki Whānui, the traditional Māori guardians of Wellington Harbour and its surrounding lands, followed by a celebration later that evening which was attended by more than 700 guests, including local Māori representatives, dignitaries, stakeholders, and clients. The event showcased the city’s diverse cultural scene, treating guests to the finest local cuisine, beverages, and performances by renowned groups such as World of WearableArt (WOW), Connections Pasifika Choir, and Ngati Poneke Young Māori Club.

Expressing his enthusiasm, Mayor Tory Whanau declared the opening of Tākina as a transformative milestone for the city.

“As it is in the capital city of New Zealand, Tākina Convention and Exhibition Centre is an important asset for the city. In its first year, the Centre is expected to attract around half a million international and domestic visitors through its family-friendly exhibitions and world class conferencing facilities,” Mayor Whanau said.

“Tākina is designed as a place where we can share stories of the nation with the world, and where the world can share its stories with us.”

Positioned in the heart of Wellington’s cultural precinct, facing the waterfront, Tākina encompasses 10,000 square meters of flexible conferencing space across two levels, with the capacity to accommodate up to 1,600 attendees in plenary sessions. The ground floor exhibition gallery, spanning 1,280 square meters, is the largest in New Zealand.

It is poised to have a significantly positive impact on the city’s hospitality, accommodation, and retail industries and will enhance Wellington’s ability to host international conferences at a scale the city has not previously been able to. It is estimated to generate $45 million per year in economic impact, supporting 372 direct jobs.

Owned by Wellington City Council and operated by the local team Tākina Events, which also manages the event spaces of the neighboring national museum Te Papa Tongarewa, Tākina is poised to offer cutting-edge technology, adaptable function spaces, and world-class cuisine. The close proximity of the convention center and the national museum provides diverse opportunities for hosting events.

Tākina derives its name from the Māori language, signifying encounters, invocations, connections, and the generation of knowledge. This meaningful name was gifted by Taranaki Whānui to acknowledge the venue’s pivotal role in fostering the exchange of knowledge and ideas.

The Festival for the Future, the first official event, is scheduled to take place on June 8-9. Additionally, the public exhibition “Jurassic World by Brickman” will run from June 3 to October 16, marking the commencement of public engagements at Tākina.