Tākina officially opens in Wellington

New Zealand’s capital city of Wellington has officially opened its new conference and exhibition centre, Tākina, with more than 50 multi-day conferences already booked. Tākina was opened on 31 May with a morning blessing by Taranaki Whānui, the traditional Māori guardians of the Wellington Harbour and associated lands. An evening celebration was attended by more than 700 guests including mana whenua (local Māori), dignitaries, key stakeholders, and clients. Guests experienced local food and beverages, and entertainment from Wellington’s diverse cultural scene: including World of WearableArt (WOW), Connections Pasifika Choir, and Ngati Poneke Young Māori Club. Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau says: “As the capital of New Zealand, the Tākina Convention and Exhibition Centre is an important asset for (Wellington). In its first year, it’s expected to attract around half a million international and domestic visitors through its family-friendly exhibitions and conferencing facilities. “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.” The first official event, the Festival for the Future, takes place 8-9 June and the first public exhibition will be Jurassic World by Brickman, running 3 June to 16 Oct 2023. Located in the heart of the capital’s cultural precinct, opposite Wellington’s waterfront, organisers expect Tākina to have positive flow-on effects for the city’s hospitality, accommodation, and retail businesses, providing 372 direct jobs and $45m (USD $27m) a year in estimated economic impact to Wellington. David Perks, GM Tākina commercial development for Wellington City Council says: “It’s wonderful to see Tākina come to life. Tākina will increase Wellington’s opportunity to host international conferences at a scale the city has not previously been able to.” About Tākina The centre incorporates 10,000 sqm of flexible conferencing space over two levels, with a capacity for plenaries up to 1,600. The ground floor exhibition gallery, at 1,280s sqm, is the largest in New Zealand. Tākina is owned by the Wellington City Council and operated by the local team Tākina Events, which manages the event spaces of both Tākina and the neighbouring national museum Te Papa Tongarewa. Tākina Events spokesperson, Jake Downing says: “Tākina will offer cutting-edge technology, flexible function space and world-class cuisine. With our convention centre and our national museum in such close proximity, it creates exciting spaces and opportunities for events.” The Māori meaning of Tākina is to encounter and invoke, to connect and to bring forth. The name was gifted to the centre by Taranaki Whānui to recognise the venue’s role in sharing knowledge.