The 2024 Waves Conference will be held at the Lower Hutt Events Centre​. This new, purpose-built event venue in the heart of Lower Hutt. Lower Hutt Events Centre​ is one of Wellington's newest venues for conferences, meetings, and seminars as well as weddings and social events.

The 800 square metre event space has natural light, providing stunning views of picturesque Riddiford Garden.

Accessibility Information, Waves 2024 – Lower Hutt Event Centre

Recreation Aotearoa is on a journey to providing accessible and sustainable events for our conference delegates. The below information is designed to support your conference attendance. If you have any questions about the conference accessibility or if there's anything else we can do to support your Waves conference experience, please let us know.

Conference Venue | Lower Hutt Event Centre

The Lower Hutt Event Centre is located at 30c Laings Road, Hutt Central, Lower Hutt 5010.

Find the Lower Hutt Event Centre on Google Maps​

Getting there

By bus

The closest major bus stops to the Lower Hutt Event Centre are located at the Queensgate Shopping Centre approximate 500m (7-minute walk away).

By Taxi or ride share

A taxi stand and drop-off zone is located outside the Events Centre by the main entrance.

Please note, this area is not covered. 

From Wellington the Airport Flyer Bus​ service will deliver you to the Queensgate​ shopping mall, from there it's a two minute walk to the centre. Regular train services operate between Wellington Central and Waterloo & Melling stations, and it is a short taxi fare or a 20-minute walk to the Events centre from either of the train stations. The Events Centre is a 22km journey from the Wellington International airport and is an approximate $80 taxi fare depending on your time of travel.

Parking

• There is paid parking available, with 4 mobility car parking spaces available. The carpark is called the Riddiford Garden Carpark, located off Laings Road, adjacent to Lower Hutt Event Centre. This is a public pay and display car park providing 40 spaces, fees: $6 a day or $1 an hour.
• On-road parking is also available on Laings Road outside of the Town Hall, next to the Event Centre. Please note that these on-road parks are P-60. 
• The Centre City Plaza car park is located 250 metres from the venue on Queens Drive and the large Riverbank car park is 800 metres from the centre, accessible from Daly Street.
• There are many surrounding suburban street parks available and some are free all day or have 2-hour limits.

Venue Entrance

• The main entrance to the Events Centre is off Laings road and directly in front of the drop-off zone. The entrance is level entry, with automatic opening doors on the left-hand side, marked with the International Access Symbol, indicated by the yellow circle below. The automatic doors open outwards. 

Conference Registration

• The conference registration is through the main entrance, on the right-hand side of the main foyer of the Lower Hutt Events Centre. 

Hearing Loop

• The Event Centre has an assisted listening system (FM LOOP) to connect the audio stream of presenters directly to your device, headphones, or hearing aid. This system is available in the plenary room and trade area, only. 

Accessible Bathrooms

• Accessible bathroom facilities are available on the ground floor, by the lift and stairs on your left as you enter the facility, and in the Town Hall Foyer. Accessible bathrooms are also available on level one, although please note these are through a heavier push door within the gendered toilet block. 
• Gender neutral bathroom facilities are also available in the Town Hall Foyer on the ground floor.

Service Dogs

• Service dogs are welcome at the Lower Hutt Event Centre, the recommended relief area is through the rear exit of the building through the ground floor to Riddiford Garden.

Dedicated Quiet Space

• A quiet space for Waves delegates is available in the Town[KO1]​ [KO2]​ Hall Foyer on the ground floor.
• The Lower Hutt Event Centre also backs on to the picturesque Riddiford Garden, with various seating options available outside.

Assistance During the Event 

• We're here to help! If you require any assistance during the event, please find one of our friendly Recreation Aotearoa staff at the registration desk to support you. 

Wellington is a compact and connected city with a powerful mix of culture, nature and cuisine. Fuel your visit with local coffee and world-class craft beer, visit the national museum Te Papa, go behind the scenes to learn movie magic secrets, be inspired by incredible live events, and immerse yourself in acclaimed nature experiences — all on the doorstep of your venue and hotel.

If you are staying on after the conference check out these things to do:

• Top 10 Wellington must-dos​
• Explore Wellington map​
• Wellington Visitor Guide​