Tākina Convention & Exhibition Centre injects $120M into the Wellington economy in its first three years

The venue stands as a vibrant hub of connection, creativity and economic growth, bringing together communities, industries and ideas from across Aotearoa and beyond. 

“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,” says Mark Oldershaw, CE at WellingtonNZ. 

“The venue has quickly proved its value, generating more than $120 million in economic benefit to Wellington in just three years.”

Mayor Andrew Little adds: “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.” 

Purpose-built to host larger conferences than previously possible in the capital, Tākina has strengthened Wellington’s position as a premier destination for business events. Over the past three years, Tākina has been the backdrop for globally significant conferences and conversations, highlighting its role in creating meaningful and long-term impact.  

The 21st WONCA World Rural Health Conference brought leaders together to develop the Aotearoa New Zealand Declaration on Rural Health 2026, now endorsed by the Ministry of Health and helping strengthen rural health systems nationwide. 

Similarly, the 30th ICDE World Conference led to the Tākina Accord and an ongoing Education Policy Forum, influencing national dialogue around equitable access to tertiary education.

Beyond conferences, Tākina’s varied exhibition programme has drawn hundreds of thousands through its doors. Visitors have explored immersive experiences including Jurassic World by Brickman, Marvel: Earth’s Mightiest Exhibition, Doctor Who: Worlds of Wonder and Disney: The Magic of Animation, alongside thought-provoking exhibitions such as The Art of Banksy and The World Press Photo Exhibition 2025. 

More recent highlights, including Michelangelo: A Different View and the recently-announced upcoming LEGO® Star Wars™: The Exhibition, position Tākina as a must-visit destination for both locals and out-of-region visitors.

At street level, the venue has become a destination in its own right, with Zephyr Café building a reputation for its welcoming atmosphere and exceptional food. It is also home to the i-SITE visitor information centre, a key tourism asset that encourages exploration of the region and connects visitors with local tourism operators. 

Tākina Events’ commitment to exceptional visitor experience—rooted in manaakitanga (hospitality, kindness & respect)—is reflected in its performance, with its Net Promoter Score rising from +56 to +83 in the past year. Tākina’s performance continues to improve across both the conference and exhibition areas and is on track to be $600k - $700k favourable to budget by year end.  

Andrew Dorrington, General Manager Venues, Tākina Events, says: "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."

Sustainability and design excellence remain central to Tākina’s success. The venue is a 5-star Green Star rated building and Qualmark Gold certified, with initiatives such as rainwater harvesting and food rescue reducing its environmental footprint. Architecturally, it has also gained international recognition, finishing runner-up in the World-Architects Building of the Year. Strong relationships with mana whenua, including Te Āti Awa, have also shaped the identity of the venue.

“As we celebrate this milestone, we’re proud of what Tākina has become and excited about the role it will continue to play in Wellington’s future,” says Mark. 

“Every event held here creates ripple effects across the city, driving spend, supporting jobs and strengthening our communities.”

Tākina by the numbers – the first three years: 

• 119,758 business event delegates
• 300,000+ exhibition attendees 
• 1,000,000 pastries devoured 
• 5,400kg of beef fillet cooked to perfection 
• 7,800 portions of food donated through our partnership with Kaibosh Food Rescue 
• 3,000,000 litres of water supplemented through on-site rainwater harvesting.