Te Ngākau Civic Precinct is home to many of Wellington’s key civic and cultural venues and connects the city to the waterfront.
The precinct is made up of:
- Te Matapihi | Central Library
- Wellington Town Hall
- City Gallery Wellington | Te Whare Toi
- Municipal Office Building (MOB)
- Civic Administration Building (CAB)
- former Capital E building
- City to Sea Bridge
- Civic Square
- Jack Ilott Green
- Michael Fowler Centre.
Many buildings in the precinct were damaged during the 2013 and 2016 earthquakes, which means strengthening or redevelopment work is necessary.
Although the resilience issues in this area are challenging, they also offer an opportunity to rebuild Te Ngākau to ensure it is safe, well-designed, vibrant and fulfils its potential as the heart of our growing city.
What we’re doing
Some key buildings in the precinct are being redeveloped and strengthened, while others are being removed to make way for future development. Here’s what’s currently underway.
Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui | Central Library project
We’re strengthening and modernising Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui | Central Library.
Te Matapihi will be a space for everyone, with each experience opening a window to knowledge and connection, and a sense of belonging. It will be a place where people can learn, cultures and communities can connect and everyone can enjoy access to special public spaces.
Wellington Town Hall project
We're strengthening and upgrading the Wellington Town Hall. The Town Hall will support a new national music centre, which is a collaboration between Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington, Te Tira Pūoro o Aotearoa–New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO) and the Wellington City Council.
Te Ngākau Precinct Development Plan
We're preparing a development plan for the entire precinct to guide all future design and development decisions. This will include mana whenua aspirations, landscaping, building interfaces, connectivity to the sea and city, and circulation within the precinct. Once the draft is completed in June, there will be public consultation on the plan.
Civic Administration Building (CAB) demolition
The soft strip out of CAB begun on 1 April, and the main demolition work will happen from June to December. The CAB demolition will be complete by February 2025.
Municipal Office Building (MOB) demolition
MOB will be demolished after CAB, to make way for the redevelopment on the CAB and MOB sites. The MOB demolition will be complete by the end of 2025.
CAB and MOB site redevelopment
Precinct Properties have been selected to redevelop the CAB and MOB site after a rigorous selection process. Once CAB and MOB are demolished, development of a new building can proceed on the two empty sites.
The Council is now in a period of commercial negotiation with Precinct that is expected to be completed this year, and the key terms of the development agreement will be presented to elected members once finalised.
Former Capital E building, City to Sea Bridge and Civic basement
We're currently assessing the strengthening/demolition options for the future of these structures. The final decisions will be informed by detailed analysis of the options and the Precinct Development Plan.