Date: |
30 Apr 2026, 4.30PM – 6.00PM |
duration: |
1 hr 30 mins |
Venue: |
Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui (Wellington Central Library) |
Address: |
65 Victoria Street Wellington |
Cost: |
Free event |
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2026-04-30 16:30:00
2026-04-30 18:00:00
Pacific/Auckland
Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui - Wellington Central...
Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui (Wellington Central Library)
Engineering New Zealand
hello@engineeringnz.org
Join the SESOC Emerging Structural Engineers (ESE) Wellington Group for a site visit to Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui - Wellington Central Library, offering a behind-the-scenes look at this significant heritage and engineering project. The Aurecon project team will lead the presentation and site visit, sharing insights into the design approach, engineeringchallenges and innovative solutions that helped transform this much-loved public building into a more resilient and future-focused space. The event will include a technical presentation, guided site visit and dedicated Q&A session.
AGENDA
4.30 – 5.00pm – Presentation by the project team at the Aurecon office
5.00 – 5.45pm – Guided site visit of the Wellington Central Library
5.45 – 6.00pm – Q&A session with the project team
We will also head to a nearby bar afterwards for an informal post-event catch-up!
PPE Required: None
Cost: Free for members and $10 for non-members.
THE PROJECT
After Wellington Central Library closed in 2019 due to safety concerns following the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake, the city lost one of its most treasured public spaces. Now reopened as Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui - "the window to the wider world" - the project represents a major transformation into a strengthened, more resilient and reimagined space for Wellington.
AGENDA
4.30 – 5.00pm – Presentation by the project team at the Aurecon office
5.00 – 5.45pm – Guided site visit of the Wellington Central Library
5.45 – 6.00pm – Q&A session with the project team
We will also head to a nearby bar afterwards for an informal post-event catch-up!
PPE Required: None
Cost: Free for members and $10 for non-members.
THE PROJECT
After Wellington Central Library closed in 2019 due to safety concerns following the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake, the city lost one of its most treasured public spaces. Now reopened as Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui - "the window to the wider world" - the project represents a major transformation into a strengthened, more resilient and reimagined space for Wellington.
Rather than demolishing and rebuilding, the team pursued an ambitious strengthening strategy centred on a hybrid base isolation solution. This significantly improved seismic resilience while retaining important heritage and architectural elements. The engineering works involved major structural interventions like base isolators and steel strengthening. Delivered by an integrated design team including Aurecon, Athfield Architects, Tihei Limited, RCP, and Rider Levett Bucknall, the project sets a strong example of how innovative engineering can support heritage preservation, resilience and long-term community value.
Come along to join the SESOC ESE Wellington Chapter for a site visit to learn more about the Wellington Central Library project, including its design, challenges, and heritage significance. This is a great chance to gain insight into the restoration and redevelopment of one of Wellington's landmark buildings!
Join the SESOC Emerging Structural Engineers (ESE) Wellington Group for a site visit to Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui - Wellington Central Library, offering a behind-the-scenes look at this significant heritage and engineering project. The Aurecon project team will lead the presentation and site visit, sharing insights into the design approach, engineeringchallenges and innovative solutions that helped transform this much-loved public building into a more resilient and future-focused space. The event will include a technical presentation, guided site visit and dedicated Q&A session.
AGENDA
4.30 – 5.00pm – Presentation by the project team at the Aurecon office
5.00 – 5.45pm – Guided site visit of the Wellington Central Library
5.45 – 6.00pm – Q&A session with the project team
We will also head to a nearby bar afterwards for an informal post-event catch-up!
PPE Required: None
Cost: Free for members and $10 for non-members.
THE PROJECT
After Wellington Central Library closed in 2019 due to safety concerns following the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake, the city lost one of its most treasured public spaces. Now reopened as Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui - "the window to the wider world" - the project represents a major transformation into a strengthened, more resilient and reimagined space for Wellington.
AGENDA
4.30 – 5.00pm – Presentation by the project team at the Aurecon office
5.00 – 5.45pm – Guided site visit of the Wellington Central Library
5.45 – 6.00pm – Q&A session with the project team
We will also head to a nearby bar afterwards for an informal post-event catch-up!
PPE Required: None
Cost: Free for members and $10 for non-members.
THE PROJECT
After Wellington Central Library closed in 2019 due to safety concerns following the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake, the city lost one of its most treasured public spaces. Now reopened as Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui - "the window to the wider world" - the project represents a major transformation into a strengthened, more resilient and reimagined space for Wellington.
Rather than demolishing and rebuilding, the team pursued an ambitious strengthening strategy centred on a hybrid base isolation solution. This significantly improved seismic resilience while retaining important heritage and architectural elements. The engineering works involved major structural interventions like base isolators and steel strengthening. Delivered by an integrated design team including Aurecon, Athfield Architects, Tihei Limited, RCP, and Rider Levett Bucknall, the project sets a strong example of how innovative engineering can support heritage preservation, resilience and long-term community value.
