It’s been just over two years since Wellington’s brand new $180 million conference centre Takina opened - and it's attracted plenty of events.
But there have been some reports that its struggling to attract as many events as first anticipated.
Wellington City Council’s Chief Economic and Engagement Officer Anna Calver joined Nick Mills, live from Takina, to discuss the first two years of the centre's operation and what's instore for the future.
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Speaker 1 (00:07):
You're listening to the Wellington Mornings podcast with Nick Mills
from News Talk.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Said, b Well, it's just been over two years since
Wellington's Convention Center takena open and I can tell you
it's a very impressive building. I came the day before
it opened and had a look around and I was
blown away by it. And two years later it's still amazing.
Great Cafe Zephyr downstairs. The events center itself is magnificent.
(00:33):
The feel of it's great. But we've heard some reports
suggesting that it's failing to attract as many events, which
surprises me. If anything should be attracting events, it should
be takena joining us now to have a chat about
Takeina is Wellington City Council's Chief Economic and Engagement Officer.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
And a Calvic morning in It morning Mack, how are you?
Speaker 2 (00:53):
I mean, does it make you feel like it makes
me feel every time you walk in here?
Speaker 4 (00:56):
Yeah, it's stunning.
Speaker 5 (00:57):
And you know what, the first time I remember coming here,
I thought, you know what.
Speaker 4 (01:00):
Wellington we deserve something as special as this.
Speaker 5 (01:03):
You know, we look after a lot of other buildings
like the Saint James. There old kind of historic buildings,
but it's nice to have something shiny in you.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
And it feels shiny in you. It's something It feels
very classy, doesn't it.
Speaker 5 (01:14):
Yeah, And I think what we achieved it was you know,
it cost about one hundred and seventy nine hundred and
eighty million dollars and I think what we've achieved for
that amount of money is, to be honest, gobs making.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
And I've got to say, because I know from very
reliable sources that it came in on budget, which is incredible.
Speaker 4 (01:30):
Yeah it is. Yeah, we can do it.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
We can and you and you did do it.
Speaker 4 (01:34):
Yeah we did.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
Yeah, amazing.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Why are we not getting the level of events in
the city itself. I mean you said you look after
other venues as well as we should be at What's what?
Speaker 3 (01:44):
Where do you find the excuses?
Speaker 4 (01:46):
I don't think there are excuses.
Speaker 5 (01:47):
I think Wellington's got the best events calendar in the country,
to be honest. I think when we did the original
business case for Takena, we put an incredibly high you know,
projections of what events we would get and it's comes
under what that original business case is. But we still
had two hundred and thirty one events. We've had five exhibitions.
(02:09):
It's contributed about ninety million dollars to the local economy
since it opened.
Speaker 4 (02:14):
You know, hundreds of thousands of people.
Speaker 5 (02:16):
Have been through, so it's actually been a fantastic success.
I think the narrative has been because if you look
at that original business case, the numbers haven't have been
below that.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
But can I just ask, can I interrupt you and
ask you was that much of done pre COVID?
Speaker 5 (02:32):
Well, I think the very original business case was, but
it was signed off in twenty twenty one, but it
was before we really knew that we it would take
a long time to bounce back to those pre COVID numbers.
The world store isn't there right right?
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Does it feel like it's getting better? Does it feel
like when you bring in events now, I've spoken to
many people that exhibitionists, the people who have been had
events here that all just sing its praises. Does it
feel like it's gathering momentum?
Speaker 4 (02:59):
Yeah, I mean we have.
Speaker 5 (03:00):
A lot of interest and we've got a very very
healthy pipeline. You know, we've got events past two thousand
and thirty that penciled in for here. Now there's going
to be more competition coming on with the n z
ICC the New Zealand International Convention Center opening up at
the end of this year. But we New Zealand will
then have three world class business kind of convention centers,
(03:20):
which will make New Zealand more appealing for attracting those
international events.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
I want to talk to you quickly because we're here
at the champions luncheon. How big an event is this?
I mean, I know that friends of mine went to
the last one and said it was incredible.
Speaker 5 (03:34):
I've never been. I've never got the invite, but it's
neither Yeah, I know, lass next time. Let's see if
we can talk it up and we'll make the list
for next time. Let's know, it's a wonderful to have
a range of people come to Wellington to celebrate what's
going to be a fantastic doubleheader tomorrow at the Stadium.
You know we're backing that up next weekend with Wrexham
(03:56):
versus the Phoenix. And then a little bird tells me
there's some good news coming our way with some more
events and more announcements at the stadium as well. So
back to your question, are we building momentum? Yes, yes
we are. It's harder to attract those big level stadium events.
But I'll tell you what the team is hustling to
get them.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
Is there any teas on what's coming up?
Speaker 5 (04:15):
I can't tell you, but I think you'd be pretty
pretty happy when both accounts once they're announced.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
Okay, keeps forgetting that the Saints have made it to
the semi final of the.
Speaker 4 (04:23):
Basketball I have and we're a proud supporter of this.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
Now that's on on Saturday Sunday as well, and if
they win that the final will be in Willington.
Speaker 5 (04:31):
I know. And actually the Saints must have one of
the best fan experiences in the country. So you know
you didn't like to say that. Well, you know, my
family loves going to the Saints.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
Yeah, okay, so you're not going to give me any
little hint on what's coming up.
Speaker 4 (04:46):
I can't, No, I can't, but there is stuff coming up.
That's the hint.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
Okay, So long term we're okay.
Speaker 4 (04:54):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (04:54):
I think Wellington is definitely turned the corner. Yeah, it's
definitely turned the corner. It's on the I think the
events program is fantastic. We do have facilities like this
to be incredibly proud of. We've got the opening of
the Library in March next year. Another project on time
on budget town Hall is tracking brilliantly and that will
open in twenty twenty seven. Twenty six will also see
(05:15):
City Gallery and Tanaco's Square reopen.
Speaker 4 (05:18):
So there's a lot to celebrate.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
And thanks very much for coming in and joining us here
at Takeino. I know that you had to come in
specially to have a chat to us, but we appreciate
it and keep up the good work, keep it happening.
Speaker 4 (05:29):
Thanks Nat.
Speaker 3 (05:31):
There she is Anna Kalva.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
She's Wellington's City Council's Chief Economic and Engagement Officer, talking
about the exciting announcement. We better find out about her
on news Talks thered be first. If we don't find
about it first, I'll.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
Be very annoyed. I won't promote it. So there, we'll
keep you up to date.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
I'll keep well someone will keep Anna's phone number and
we'll keep hassling it to get that information.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
For more from Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills, listen live
to news Talks There'd Be Wellington from nine am weekdays,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Wellington Mornings podcast with Nick Mills
from News Talk.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Said, b Well, it's just been over two years since
Wellington's Convention Center takena open and I can tell you
it's a very impressive building. I came the day before
it opened and had a look around and I was
blown away by it. And two years later it's still amazing.
Great Cafe Zephyr downstairs. The events center itself is magnificent.
(00:33):
The feel of it's great. But we've heard some reports
suggesting that it's failing to attract as many events, which
surprises me. If anything should be attracting events, it should
be takena joining us now to have a chat about
Takeina is Wellington City Council's Chief Economic and Engagement Officer.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
And a Calvic morning in It morning Mack, how are you?
Speaker 2 (00:53):
I mean, does it make you feel like it makes
me feel every time you walk in here?
Speaker 4 (00:56):
Yeah, it's stunning.
Speaker 5 (00:57):
And you know what, the first time I remember coming here,
I thought, you know what.
Speaker 4 (01:00):
Wellington we deserve something as special as this.
Speaker 5 (01:03):
You know, we look after a lot of other buildings
like the Saint James. There old kind of historic buildings,
but it's nice to have something shiny in you.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
And it feels shiny in you. It's something It feels
very classy, doesn't it.
Speaker 5 (01:14):
Yeah, And I think what we achieved it was you know,
it cost about one hundred and seventy nine hundred and
eighty million dollars and I think what we've achieved for
that amount of money is, to be honest, gobs making.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
And I've got to say, because I know from very
reliable sources that it came in on budget, which is incredible.
Speaker 4 (01:30):
Yeah it is. Yeah, we can do it.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
We can and you and you did do it.
Speaker 4 (01:34):
Yeah we did.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
Yeah, amazing.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Why are we not getting the level of events in
the city itself. I mean you said you look after
other venues as well as we should be at What's what?
Speaker 3 (01:44):
Where do you find the excuses?
Speaker 4 (01:46):
I don't think there are excuses.
Speaker 5 (01:47):
I think Wellington's got the best events calendar in the country,
to be honest. I think when we did the original
business case for Takena, we put an incredibly high you know,
projections of what events we would get and it's comes
under what that original business case is. But we still
had two hundred and thirty one events. We've had five exhibitions.
(02:09):
It's contributed about ninety million dollars to the local economy
since it opened.
Speaker 4 (02:14):
You know, hundreds of thousands of people.
Speaker 5 (02:16):
Have been through, so it's actually been a fantastic success.
I think the narrative has been because if you look
at that original business case, the numbers haven't have been
below that.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
But can I just ask, can I interrupt you and
ask you was that much of done pre COVID?
Speaker 5 (02:32):
Well, I think the very original business case was, but
it was signed off in twenty twenty one, but it
was before we really knew that we it would take
a long time to bounce back to those pre COVID numbers.
The world store isn't there right right?
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Does it feel like it's getting better? Does it feel
like when you bring in events now, I've spoken to
many people that exhibitionists, the people who have been had
events here that all just sing its praises. Does it
feel like it's gathering momentum?
Speaker 4 (02:59):
Yeah, I mean we have.
Speaker 5 (03:00):
A lot of interest and we've got a very very
healthy pipeline. You know, we've got events past two thousand
and thirty that penciled in for here. Now there's going
to be more competition coming on with the n z
ICC the New Zealand International Convention Center opening up at
the end of this year. But we New Zealand will
then have three world class business kind of convention centers,
(03:20):
which will make New Zealand more appealing for attracting those
international events.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
I want to talk to you quickly because we're here
at the champions luncheon. How big an event is this?
I mean, I know that friends of mine went to
the last one and said it was incredible.
Speaker 5 (03:34):
I've never been. I've never got the invite, but it's
neither Yeah, I know, lass next time. Let's see if
we can talk it up and we'll make the list
for next time. Let's know, it's a wonderful to have
a range of people come to Wellington to celebrate what's
going to be a fantastic doubleheader tomorrow at the Stadium.
You know we're backing that up next weekend with Wrexham
(03:56):
versus the Phoenix. And then a little bird tells me
there's some good news coming our way with some more
events and more announcements at the stadium as well. So
back to your question, are we building momentum? Yes, yes
we are. It's harder to attract those big level stadium events.
But I'll tell you what the team is hustling to
get them.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
Is there any teas on what's coming up?
Speaker 5 (04:15):
I can't tell you, but I think you'd be pretty
pretty happy when both accounts once they're announced.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
Okay, keeps forgetting that the Saints have made it to
the semi final of the.
Speaker 4 (04:23):
Basketball I have and we're a proud supporter of this.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
Now that's on on Saturday Sunday as well, and if
they win that the final will be in Willington.
Speaker 5 (04:31):
I know. And actually the Saints must have one of
the best fan experiences in the country. So you know
you didn't like to say that. Well, you know, my
family loves going to the Saints.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
Yeah, okay, so you're not going to give me any
little hint on what's coming up.
Speaker 4 (04:46):
I can't, No, I can't, but there is stuff coming up.
That's the hint.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
Okay, So long term we're okay.
Speaker 4 (04:54):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (04:54):
I think Wellington is definitely turned the corner. Yeah, it's
definitely turned the corner. It's on the I think the
events program is fantastic. We do have facilities like this
to be incredibly proud of. We've got the opening of
the Library in March next year. Another project on time
on budget town Hall is tracking brilliantly and that will
open in twenty twenty seven. Twenty six will also see
(05:15):
City Gallery and Tanaco's Square reopen.
Speaker 4 (05:18):
So there's a lot to celebrate.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
And thanks very much for coming in and joining us here
at Takeino. I know that you had to come in
specially to have a chat to us, but we appreciate
it and keep up the good work, keep it happening.
Speaker 4 (05:29):
Thanks Nat.
Speaker 3 (05:31):
There she is Anna Kalva.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
She's Wellington's City Council's Chief Economic and Engagement Officer, talking
about the exciting announcement. We better find out about her
on news Talks thered be first. If we don't find
about it first, I'll.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
Be very annoyed. I won't promote it. So there, we'll
keep you up to date.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
I'll keep well someone will keep Anna's phone number and
we'll keep hassling it to get that information.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
For more from Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills, listen live
to news Talks There'd Be Wellington from nine am weekdays,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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