Wellington’s Te Whare Whakarauika Town Hall is progressing faster than expected, with construction now set for completion in July 2026—eight months ahead of the original schedule. The project is also expected to return between $15 million and $17.5 million to the Wellington City Council, thanks to efficiency savings.
The Council received an update today on the development of front-of-house facilities, which will be built on the site of the former Municipal Office Building (MOB), currently being demolished. These facilities, designed by Warren and Mahoney, will include a lightweight timber frame and will reuse existing foundations, helping keep costs within the approved $28 million budget. The front-of-house area will be ready in time for the Town Hall’s reopening.
Meanwhile, discussions continue with Precinct Properties regarding a larger development across the MOB and Civic Administration Building (CAB) sites. This proposed structure could include hospitality, retail, and office space. The Council expects to approve a heads-of-terms agreement for the project on 12 June.
Wider Precinct Upgrades
Other key projects within the Te Ngākau Precinct are also making rapid progress. The area is set to reopen in March 2026, with major milestones including:
- Te Matapihi Central Library—strengthening work on track, with reopening scheduled for August 2025.
- City Gallery Wellington—strengthening completed and the gallery reopened.
- Plaza redevelopment—landscaping and public space enhancements underway.
- Council head office relocation—moving to 68 Jervois Quay by the end of 2025, helping revitalise the area.
The Te Ngākau Precinct Development Plan, outlining long-term options for the area, is expected to be finalised by July 2025.