This Content Is Only For Subscribers
Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre has marked another year of significant achievements, with strong event demand as well as industry-leading sustainability and standards contributing to a major economic, environmental and social impact for the region.
Te Pae attracted more than 80,000 visitors to attend more than 220 events in the 2024-year, with a strong pipeline of bookings for 2025, 2026 and beyond. The convention centre is also making a broad contribution to the city and wider region – from promoting local businesses to increasing awareness of New Zealand as a destination. According to the organisation’s delegate surveys, more than 80 per cent of international convention attendees intend to return to New Zealand for a holiday over the next five years.
Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre general manager Ross Steele says the organisation takes the investment the community has made in developing the purpose-built convention centre very seriously.
“We recognise how significant our role is, both as a showcase for the region and as driver of economic development,” says Ross. “We also see it as our responsibility to provide an international-standard platform for local businesses and organisations – from agri-tech to space exploration, and health sciences to education – to reach a national and international audience.”
Ross says Te Pae Christchurch also understands the importance of taking on a leadership role in the international events industry, especially when it comes to key issues like sustainability.
“That approach informs every part of our decision making, enabling us to demonstrate real leadership on issues that are vitally important to conference organisers, decision-makers and delegates, as well as our community,” Ross says.
It is understood that Te Pae Christchurch is currently the only convention centre in the world to be a certified Toitū Net Carbon Zero venue, recently renewed for the second year running. The venue also takes proactive measures to reduce their environmental impact, reflected in their achievements of Toitū Environmark Gold Certification, as well as Qualmark Gold Sustainable Tourism Accreditation.
Meeting these standards reflects considerable environmental improvements across the operation. The convention centre saw a 12 per cent overall reduction in carbon emissions in 2024, including a 20 per cent decrease in power consumption and a 35 per cent decrease in transport emissions. The organisation offset scope 1 and 2 emissions, as well as the measured scope 3 emissions – beyond what was required to achieve the standards. The focus on sustainability is also reflected throughout the organisation, with a broad range of initiatives designed to reduce waste. These include replacing plastic milk bottles with kegs – saving more than 2400 plastic bottles from going to waste, the use of an eWater system for natural sanitisation and dehydration of food waste to create soil food for community gardens.
“Te Pae Christchurch sets an impressive example of climate leadership in the hospitality industry to reduce their emissions and environmental impact,” says Toitū Envirocare chief science and advisory officer Belinda Mathers.
“They’re not afraid to try new ways of operating, and it’s this innovative approach and willingness to share their journey that sets them apart. The efforts by organisations such as Te Pae Christchurch is critical for New Zealand to meet its climate targets and make a positive difference.”
The venue has also been focused on continuous standards improvement, with the achievement of Gold Certification in the AIPC Quality Standards programme in December 2024, putting Te Pae Christchurch among a select group of only 30 convention centres worldwide.
Ross says the organisation is looking forward to demonstrating what it has achieved to the wider industry when Te Pae Christchurch hosts the Professional Conference Organisers Association conference in December.
“From the quality of our award-winning building to the outstanding flavours, sights and sounds of our dynamic region, we’re looking forward to providing the industry with a taste of what our team and our wider community have worked so hard to achieve over the past three years.”
