New $475 million Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre officially opens

After more than four years of construction, Christchurch’s new $475 million convention centre Te Pae is officially opening today. However the general public will have to wait until mid-February before experiencing the new riverside facility.

Set on the Ōtakaro Avon river in the city centre, Te Pae Christchurch features 24 meeting rooms, including a 1000-seat riverside banquet room, up to 3,300 square metres of exhibition space and a 1,400-seat auditorium able to be configured into two completely autonomous spaces, and state-of-the-art technology throughout.

The first of three brand new international standard convention centres to open in New Zealand, Te Pae Christchurch has a solid roster of events on its books, including over 50 multi-day conferences, and a number of other events ranging from exhibitions to live entertainment, banquets and smaller meetings and seminars.

Te Pae Christchurch General Manager Ross Steele said while there was a strong contingent of domestic bookings in the first year, it had been pleasing to see the return of interest and bookings from international markets, particularly Australia and noted “we can see that people are missing that connection that only comes with being face-to-face, and we know there is pent up demand for New Zealand, in particular Christchurch, so it’s been great see interest translate to bookings for later in 2022 and beyond.”

Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) Chief Executive Lisa Hopkins, who is attending the opening event today with BEIA Board Chair Steve Armitage, says the building is a stunning addition to Christchurch, the South Island and New Zealand.

Hopkins advises “Business events will be at the forefront of New Zealand's economic reopening to the world because of the clear value they bring socially and economically. Te Pae signals a promising future despite the current challenges, with strong domestic bookings in the first year, and bookings from international markets, particularly Australia.

“Te Pae Christchurch is a landmark building, purpose-built for the most modern city in New Zealand. It is a credit to the Crown who developed this magnificent space, and to ASM Global who are running it for the future with a long-term view.

"With the opening of Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, Christchurch is showcasing the capability and increasing the capacity of New Zealand to host exceptional business events."