This Content Is Only For Subscribers
Three years after opening its doors on May 31, 2023, Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre has welcomed more than 300,000 exhibition visitors and hosted 119,758 delegates across 306 business events, generating more than $120 million in economic impact for Wellington.
The venue has become a hub for conferences, exhibitions and community events, attracting visitors from around New Zealand and overseas.
Economic contribution
WellingtonNZ chief executive Mark Oldershaw says Tākina has quickly demonstrated its value to the capital.
“Tākina was created as a place to bring people together, and three years on, that vision is alive in every event, every exhibition and every connection made here.
“The venue has quickly proved its value, generating more than $120 million in economic benefit to Wellington in just three years.”
Mayor Andrew Little says the venue continues to attract high-value visitors to the city.
“Tākina is an important asset for Wellington, drawing high-value visitors to the capital and driving further spending in our hospitality, accommodation and tourism sectors.”
Major conferences
Purpose-built to host larger conferences than previously possible in Wellington, Tākina has welcomed a range of international and national events.
Among them was the 21st WONCA World Rural Health Conference, which led to the Aotearoa New Zealand Declaration on Rural Health 2026, and the 30th ICDE World Conference, which resulted in the Tākina Accord and an ongoing Education Policy Forum.
Popular exhibitions
The venue’s exhibition programme has attracted more than 300,000 visitors across eight exhibitions.
Major attractions have included Jurassic World by Brickman, Marvel: Earth’s Mightiest Exhibition, Doctor Who: Worlds of Wonder, Disney: The Magic of Animation, The Art of Banksy and the World Press Photo Exhibition 2025.
Recent and upcoming exhibitions include Michelangelo: A Different View and LEGO Star Wars: The Exhibition.
Visitor experience
At street level, Tākina is home to Zephyr Café and Wellington’s i-SITE visitor information centre, helping connect visitors with local tourism experiences and attractions.
Tākina Events general manager venues Andrew Dorrington says visitor experience remains central to the venue’s success.
“Three years ago we opened the doors with high ambitions for what Tākina could be.
“What we’ve built since then, a team deeply committed to manaakitanga, exceptional hospitality and genuine care for every client, continues to define the Tākina experience.”
The venue’s Net Promoter Score increased from +56 to +83 during the past year and is forecast to finish between $600,000 and $700,000 ahead of budget by the end of the financial year.
Sustainability focus
Sustainability remains a key focus for the venue, which holds a five-star Green Star rating and Qualmark Gold certification.
Initiatives including rainwater harvesting and food rescue programmes have helped reduce environmental impacts, while the building was also recognised internationally as runner-up in the World-Architects Building of the Year awards.
| Measure | Result |
|---|---|
| Business event delegates | 119,758 |
| Business events hosted | 306 |
| Exhibition visitors | 300,000+ |
| Economic impact | $120 million+ |
| Pastries served | 1,000,000 |
| Beef fillet prepared | 5,400kg |
| Food donated through Kaibosh | 7,800 portions |
| Rainwater harvested | 3 million litres |
Mark says the venue will continue to play an important role in Wellington’s future.
“Every event held here creates ripple effects across the city, driving spend, supporting jobs and strengthening our communities.”
