Tākina proposed as name for Wellington's convention centre as construction continues

Friday, 7 August 2020

The 453-page consent application for Wellington's Conference and Exhibition Centre is now publicly available. This video was first published in April 2019.

The ground floor of Wellington’s Convention and Exhibition Centre is being laid and soon, Wellingtonians will see a steel structure rising above the hoardings.

Across the road from Te Papa Museum, the three-story complex has been in the works and next week, Wellington City Councillors will be asked to approve the name Tākina for the centre.

Councillor Jill Day said Tākina was a strong, memorable name and meant “to invoke”.

“It is a name that has so many different levels to it and reflect both the building and our city as a place people come together to talk and think,” she said.

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Next week, Wellington City Councillors will be asked to approve the name Tākina for the convention and exhibition centre.

The name was developed with iwi partners representing Taranaki Whānui, she said.

Te Rūnanganui o Te Āti Awa ki te Upoko o te Ika a Maui chairman and kaumātua Kura Moeahu said “Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington harbour) is renowned for its unique and diverse winds – from those that rage across the harbour to the softer and more welcoming winds”.

Kaumātua Kura Moeahu and Taranaki Whānui have gifted a karakia to Wellington City Council for the building (File photo).

“Wellington is known as the windiest city in the world. We should acknowledge it for what it is. We have no power or control over Tāwhirimātea and how he chooses to behave. We can’t control our environment, but we can learn to certainly respect and appreciate it.”

Taranaki Whānui and Moeahu have gifted a karakia to the council for the building, which will be presented with the name Tākina at the meeting next week.

The karakia represents the numerous and various winds that are unique and pertinent to Te Whanganui-a-Tara.

Mayor Andy Foster said Tākina will be great for Wellington culturally and economically.

The turning of the first sod for the Convention Centre in Cable St occurred in 2019.

Tākina was part of ongoing regeneration to the city centre which would create an “even more dynamic, vibrant and attractive centre for business and lifestyle”, he said.

“We expect Tākina to be a catalyst for further investment in the area.”

As of August, the groundworks and piling had been completed, and the base isolators were largely installed.

The building is due to be completed in February 2023.

Councillor Diane Calvert said early marketing activities have started and pencil bookings have already been taken.

The Wellington Convention Centre was approved by council in December 2018 and construction began in 2019.

It will be the Capital’s first purpose-built facility able to host conventions of up to 1400 people and will also contain gallery space for exhibitions.

Wellington City Council expects the centre will bring in around $45 million a year in GDP to Wellington's economy.