I remember when the government released its blueprint for the rebuild of our central city, it was hard to imagine the scale of a convention centre that could connect Victoria Square to Cathedral Square.
And here it is Te Pae, Ōtautahi Christchurch, the place where people will gather together for conventions, conferences, business events, trade exhibitions and meetings.
People who come here will see our past meet our future – the juxtaposition between the two squares that now also reflect our pre-European history – and the outlook to our river as familiar to us today as Ōtākaro – the place of play - as it is the River Avon.
This place is already known as Te Pae – as is Tūranga across the road– our extraordinary city library.
And across the other side of the river on Conservation Land, we see the last remaining example of the seat of Provincial Government in New Zealand – a category 1 heritage building. Its reinstatement will add enormous interest to the area.
And all around us we see the new architecture of our city, alongside that which we have been able to preserve, with an incredibly diverse and rich range of dining and venue experiences all within walking distance of here.
Our oldest city by Royal Charter is now our newest city as well.
It really is an exceptional location.
Our international airport means we are also a gateway to our region and the whole of Te Waipounamu.
This means that Ōtautahi Christchurch is now the complete package with today’s opening of Te Pae, the first new generation convention centre in Aotearoa New Zealand.
No reira tena koutou, tena koutou, tena tatou katoa
And here it is Te Pae, Ōtautahi Christchurch, the place where people will gather together for conventions, conferences, business events, trade exhibitions and meetings.
People who come here will see our past meet our future – the juxtaposition between the two squares that now also reflect our pre-European history – and the outlook to our river as familiar to us today as Ōtākaro – the place of play - as it is the River Avon.
This place is already known as Te Pae – as is Tūranga across the road– our extraordinary city library.
And across the other side of the river on Conservation Land, we see the last remaining example of the seat of Provincial Government in New Zealand – a category 1 heritage building. Its reinstatement will add enormous interest to the area.
And all around us we see the new architecture of our city, alongside that which we have been able to preserve, with an incredibly diverse and rich range of dining and venue experiences all within walking distance of here.
Our oldest city by Royal Charter is now our newest city as well.
It really is an exceptional location.
Our international airport means we are also a gateway to our region and the whole of Te Waipounamu.
This means that Ōtautahi Christchurch is now the complete package with today’s opening of Te Pae, the first new generation convention centre in Aotearoa New Zealand.
No reira tena koutou, tena koutou, tena tatou katoa