Artist impression from Wakefield Street
About the project
The Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre (WCEC) will be the Capital’s first purpose-built facility able to host conventions of up to 1700 delegates and offering 18,000sq metres of conference and exhibition gallery space over three floors.
Built on a Council-owned site on Cable Street, opposite Te Papa Tongarewa, the centre is close to one of the City’s biggest tourist attractions, the vibrant entertainment districts and the waterfront.
The purpose-built facility – WCEC which is due to be completed at the end of 2022 – will have a huge positive flow-on effects for the City’s hospitality, accommodation and retail businesses and is expected to bring in business worth around $45 million a year in GDP to Wellington's economy.
Along with the convention centre, Wellingtonians will also gain a brand-new 1280-square-metre exhibition gallery space. It will be able to accommodate large, internationally significant exhibitions and draw in visitors from around Wellington, New Zealand and internationally.
Who are we working with
We are working with Willis Bond and LT McGuinness to deliver the construction phase of the building, and are talking to Te Papa Tongarewa and WellingtonNZ about the future operations of the centre.
We are also working closely with iwi mana whenua – Taranaki Whānui ki te Upoko o te Ika – to ensure that Māori culture and values are an integral part of the project; from design to build through to the way we welcome our national and international visitors and guests.
Background
The convention centre is one of the Council's economic stimulus projects, and was first proposed in our 2014 Economic Growth Agenda. The project was part of our Long-term Plan consultations in 2015 and 2018. The project addresses a changing landscape for convention and exhibitions in New Zealand and a lack of suitable modern and fit or purpose facilities in Wellington.
You can read more about the project, the design of the building and the WCEC’s economic contribution to the City here:
Wellington Convention and Events Centre business case (2.3MB PDF)
Council Approval
Councillors approved the WCEC project at the 13 December 2018 City Strategy Committee. You can see what went to the Council for approval here:
Addendum Agenda of City Strategy Committee – 13 December 2018 (15MB PDF)
For further information about the WCEC, its design, how the project is progressing, its facilities, how to book and much more please visit the WCEC website.