Top awards for Te Pae

Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre has been acknowledged with a 2023 New Zealand Public Architecture Award.

Te Pae was funded by the Crown and delivered by the Government infrastructure delivery company, Rau Paenga. Kirstie McNulty, Rau Paenga’s General Manager of Te Pae Christchurch, emphasises the significant contribution by architects Woods Bagot in association with Warren and Mahoney, and Matapopore.

“In a globally competitive sector such as conventions, and business events, first impressions matter. With its braided river façade, the architects have created a facility that is not only memorable for visitors, but also enhances the natural beauty around it for those walking past every day.

“Having hosted over 400 events and attracted 160,000 people to date, it’s gratifying to see
Te Pae’s appeal to the events industry matched with this recognition from the architectural community,” she says. The Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects panel noted Te Pae Christchurch stands out for its focus on community building, rather than on being just a ‘big box’ convention centre.

The convention centre was opened in December 2021 , at a cost of almost $450 million, and represents the Government’s single biggest contribution to the regeneration of the city. The centre has also been shortlisted in the Completed Buildings: Culture section at the 2023 World Architecture Festival Awards. Adding to its honours roll, the centre won two awards at the Entertainment Venues Association of New Zealand Awards Dinner held in Dunedin in late November. Te Pae was awarded Medium Venue of the Year, and its Food and Beverage Operations Manager, Marzena Orlecka was awarded the title ‘Rising Star of the Year’.