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Engineering ventilation solutions for one of New Zealand’s most sustainable public venues
Working alongside NME and project stakeholders, Systemair helped deliver energy-efficient ventilation solutions for the award-winning Tākina, Wellington’s Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Tākina Convention and Exhibition Centre, New Zealand
Supporting New Zealand’s first 5-Star Green Star convention centre
Systemair contributed energy-efficient ventilation solutions aligned with ambitious sustainability and low-carbon performance targets.
Delivering tailored solutions for a complex waterfront landmark
Close collaboration with NME, Beca, and project stakeholders helped overcome spatial, architectural, and installation challenges.
Providing integrated ventilation and fire safety expertise
The project incorporated a broad portfolio of Systemair ventilation products alongside Ravenscroft fire damper solutions.
Building on a trusted 20+ year partnership
Long-standing collaboration between Systemair New Zealand and NME Mechanical played a key role in successful project delivery and equipment selection.
A Landmark Shaped by Culture and Place
Tākina Convention and Exhibition Centre, stands as one of New Zealand’s most distinctive contemporary public buildings. Located on Wellington’s waterfront, the project reflects both the city’s dramatic natural environment and the deep cultural significance of Māori mythology, while setting new benchmarks for sustainable convention centre design in the country.
The centre’s sculptural architectural form draws inspiration from its maritime surroundings, Wellington’s dynamic weather patterns, and the Māori legend of Te Ūpoko-o-Te-Ika-o-Māui, Māui’s Head of the Fish, which references the formation of Wellington Harbour and the surrounding topography. This cultural narrative became an integral part of the building’s identity, creating a convention and exhibition space deeply connected to the spirit of place.
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Behind the Scenes
Developed by Wellington City Council and designed by Studio Pacific Architecture, the NZD $80 million project was constructed by LT McGuinness, with engineering consultancy support from Beca.
Construction took nearly three years, with the project completed in April 2023 and officially opened on 31 May 2023. The building occupies a 5,500m² waterfront site previously used by car rental companies and parking facilities. Today, the convention and exhibition centre provides more than 18,000m² of usable space across three storeys and three mezzanine levels.
Designed for Resilience and Flexibility
As a major public venue located in a seismically active region, resilience formed a critical part of the design strategy. The building incorporates 32 base isolators to improve earthquake protection and operational resilience.
The ground floor includes a 1,280m² exhibition gallery, the largest in New Zealand at the time of opening, designed specifically to host international touring exhibitions and changing visitor attractions. The lower level also includes a large lobby, café, retail space, and i-Site visitor information centre.
The upper levels house convention halls, auditoriums, kitchens, and event facilities capable of being configured in multiple ways to host up to 1,600 attendees.
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Sustainability at the Core
Tākina was designed and built to achieve a 5-Star Green Star certification, becoming the first conference centre in New Zealand to meet this standard. The building incorporates a range of sustainability measures that enable it to consume approximately 60–70% less energy and produce 60–70% lower carbon emissions compared to similar facilities.
Key features include high-performance thermal insulation and double glazing, a 30,000-litre rainwater harvesting system for toilet flushing and evaporative cooling, demand-controlled air conditioning systems, and provision for future solar array integration. Achieving these ambitious sustainability targets required continuous collaboration between the consultant, contractor, and suppliers throughout every stage of the project lifecycle.
A Long-Term Industry Partnership
The primary mechanical contractor for the project was NME Mechanical, a long-standing Systemair partner since the company’s inception in 2002.
Over more than two decades, Systemair New Zealand and NME have collaborated on numerous projects throughout the country, with this trusted relationship proving critical during the final equipment selection process for Tākina.
One of the first key requirements for the project was for Systemair to provide full technical documentation to both NME and Beca in order to gain approval as an alternative supplier to the originally specified equipment. The products ultimately selected matched or exceeded the specified performance requirements while aligning with the sustainability objectives of the development.
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Overcoming Technical and Spatial Challenges
Due to the scale and complexity of the convention centre, several spatial and installation challenges emerged during the project.
Working in conjunction with the consultant, contractor, and wider project team, Systemair contributed to practical engineering solutions that enabled the equipment to integrate successfully within the building’s architectural and operational constraints.
Because the project was designed around strict Green Star certification requirements, maintaining compliance throughout the process remained essential. Systemair worked alongside all parties to implement adjustments where necessary while ensuring the project remained aligned with the sustainability criteria.
Importantly, many of the supplied products already met the required environmental and performance standards from the outset.
Ventilation and Fire Safety Solutions
The project incorporated a broad range of Systemair ventilation solutions, including AX Inline Axials, ICQ Inline Centrifugal fans, DQ and LS Roof Mounted Axials, CSP and RSS Attenuators, as well as Ravenscroft Fire Dampers, including the BSD-C and BSD-PW ranges. *(Systemair New Zealand acquired the Ravenscroft Fire Damper business in 2023.)
The selected products were chosen for their ability to meet the project’s technical, operational, and sustainability requirements while supporting the wider architectural and functional vision of the facility.
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Delivering Performance Through Collaboration
The success of the project was built on close collaboration between all stakeholders throughout the design and construction phases.
At every stage, Systemair worked alongside the consultant and mechanical contractor to support the project’s technical and sustainability goals while responding to evolving site requirements and spatial constraints.
The long-standing relationship between Systemair and NME also played an important role in creating confidence around product selection, technical support, and project delivery.
International Recognition
Since opening, Tākina has received numerous architectural and design awards across New Zealand and internationally.
In February 2025, the project achieved second place in the World-Architects “Building of the Year” awards, further cementing its reputation as one of the region’s most significant contemporary public buildings.
The project demonstrates how strong collaboration, long-term partnerships, and carefully considered engineering solutions can contribute to creating public spaces that not only perform efficiently but also reflect the identity and aspirations of the communities they serve.
For more information on Systemair's projects and solutions in New Zealand, explore our full New Zealand portfolio here.