Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre is owned by the Wellington City Council and managed through Tākina Events, a partnership combining the Tākina and the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa event spaces under a common brand and managed by Te Papa. 

These two venues are across the road from each other and provide the opportunity for event organisers to utilise spaces in each venue for meetings and events.

The largest space in the convention centre can seat up to 1600 theatre style, however there is no plenary hall (stage and raked seating). ASE asked David Perks, Takina Commercial Development Manager what was on offer if a conference organiser wanted to stage a large opening ceremony. No problems, nearby are two theatres (The Opera house – 1380 seats and St James Theatre 1550 seats) also owned by the Wellington City Council. And if you want bigger, then the TSB arena can seat up to 6000.

The new convention centre doesn’t have a plenary room (raked seating and fixed stage) but according to David Perks – Takina Commercial Development Manager – this is not an issue as the city also owns the two major theatres in the city and can accommodate plenary gatherings of up to 1,500 pax, and they are within walking distance of the Convention Centre.

David Perks spoke to ASE about the new convention centre and the other venues on offer in Wellington.