Wellington’s newly opened Tākina Convention and Exhibition Centre is perfectly positioned to tap into the Australian meetings and convention market and gain New Zealand business, according to three key executives.
At MEETINGS 2023, held at Tākina, media were briefed yesterday by David Perks, general manager of Business Events Wellington; Jake Downing, director of Tākina events; and Andrew Dorrington, Tākina’s general manager.
Perks said Tākina was designed to comfortably handle two simultaneous conventions of about 500 to 600 people. This was the meeting size often seen in Australia and New Zealand. It has already hosted a single convention of about 1300 people.
Dowling revealed that Tākina is on course to reach its financial target for the full trading year. He declined to reveal the target.
David Perks, of Business Events Wellington (left) with Ross Steele of Te Pae Christchurch
The size of Tākina is realistic, rather than building bigger for the sake of it (using Wellington ratepayers’ money), Perks said. Wellington has far fewer international air links than Auckland, so there was no need to match the size of Auckland’s big new convention centre, which is expected to be finished sometime in 2025.
An unusual feature of Tākina is that it has no carpark. Perks said this deliberate omission was part of a plan to be carbon neutral by 2050, and to be well on the way to that target by 2030. (In 2019, Wellington City Council adopted Te Atakura – First to Zero, a blueprint to make Wellington a net zero-carbon city by 2050.)
Tākina provides 10,000 square metres of multi-purpose conference and exhibition space over two floors, which can be tailored to single or multiple events. The concept caters for organisers planning a multi-day conference, large exhibition, black-tie gala dinner or a series of business events.
The new centre handles 1600 pax (theatre-style plenary), 2500 pax (cocktail capacity), 1400 pax (banquet capacity). It has 2500 square metres of exhibition floor.
MEETINGS 2023, which continues today, is the first time the flagship event has been held in Wellington, which shows how badly a convention centre was needed. MEETINGS is in its 27th year.
“It was a thrill to see Tākina abuzz with industry delegates this morning,” Downing commented.
“This event is renowned for its impact on the industry, and we are committed to creating an exceptional environment that fosters 
collaboration, inspiration, and growth.
“I am immensely proud of the work our team has done to position Tākina Events as leaders in conferences and events in Aotearoa.”
Tākina Events’ impressive inaugural month continues as it prepares to host the New Zealand Veterinary Association Annual Conference next week (28-30 June). The conference spans Tākina Events’ two venues, the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and Tākina.
Perks said Wellington was a unique and distinctive city. The rebuild of Auckland’s convention centre (which suffered a major fire in October 2019, setting back opening plans) is not seen as competition because the two cities are very different and will work together when necessary.
The Auckland convention centre, once complete, will feature ten eateries, 2700 square metres of meeting space, 6674 square metres of hall space and connect 1000 hotel rooms via an air bridge over Hobson Street.
Written by: Peter Needham in Wellington, New Zealand
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