Date: |
07 May 2026, 4.00PM – 5.15PM |
duration: |
1 hr 15 mins |
Venue: |
Wellington Town Hall |
Address: |
109 Wakefield Street Wellington |
Cost: |
Free event |
Join the Wellington Young Engineers for an exclusive opportunity to visit Te Whare Whakarauika, the Wellington Town Hall, and gain early access to this heritage and engineering project a year ahead of its reopening. You will hear from the Holmes project team as they share insights into the design approach, engineering challenges and innovative solutions that helped strengthen one of Wellington’s most iconic civic buildings for reopening. The event will include a technical presentation, guided site visit and dedicated Q&A session.
AGENDA
4.00 – 4.15pm – Presentation by the project team at the Wellington Town Hall
4.15 – 5.00pm – Guided site visit of the Wellington Town Hall
5.00 – 5.15pm – 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: Steel-capped boots, Hi-vis, Safety glasses, Hard hat
Free for members and $10 for non-members.
THE PROJECT
Te Whare Whakarauika, the Wellington Town Hall, is one of the city's most important heritage buildings which has been closed to the public since 2013 after being deemed earthquake prone. The building required significant intervention to improve its resilience and bring it up to current code standards, with major strengthening works being undertaken since 2019.
The project team had to ensure a balance of strong engineering outcomes with the need to preserve the building’s heritage character. One of the key engineering solutions was the installation of a base isolation system to reduce seismic loads, alongside a new foundation system to support the building and address the limitations of the original foundations. As the strengthening works near completion, key heritage spaces are being carefully reconstructed. On completion, the building will retain its much-loved historic character while incorporating modern building services and upgraded performance facilities. The Wellington Town Hall is expected to reopen to the public in February 2027.
Join the Wellington Young Engineers for a site visit to learn more about the Wellington Town Hall project, including its design, challenges and heritage significance. Learn how one of Wellington’s most important heritage buildings is being strengthened for the future!
Join the Wellington Young Engineers for an exclusive opportunity to visit Te Whare Whakarauika, the Wellington Town Hall, and gain early access to this heritage and engineering project a year ahead of its reopening. You will hear from the Holmes project team as they share insights into the design approach, engineering challenges and innovative solutions that helped strengthen one of Wellington’s most iconic civic buildings for reopening. The event will include a technical presentation, guided site visit and dedicated Q&A session.
AGENDA
4.00 – 4.15pm – Presentation by the project team at the Wellington Town Hall
4.15 – 5.00pm – Guided site visit of the Wellington Town Hall
5.00 – 5.15pm – 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: Steel-capped boots, Hi-vis, Safety glasses, Hard hat
Free for members and $10 for non-members.
THE PROJECT
Te Whare Whakarauika, the Wellington Town Hall, is one of the city's most important heritage buildings which has been closed to the public since 2013 after being deemed earthquake prone. The building required significant intervention to improve its resilience and bring it up to current code standards, with major strengthening works being undertaken since 2019.
The project team had to ensure a balance of strong engineering outcomes with the need to preserve the building’s heritage character. One of the key engineering solutions was the installation of a base isolation system to reduce seismic loads, alongside a new foundation system to support the building and address the limitations of the original foundations. As the strengthening works near completion, key heritage spaces are being carefully reconstructed. On completion, the building will retain its much-loved historic character while incorporating modern building services and upgraded performance facilities. The Wellington Town Hall is expected to reopen to the public in February 2027.
Presenters
Wellington Young Engineers
