Accessibility

Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre is committed to providing safe, equitable and inclusive access for all visitors. All entries and publicly accessible areas of the Centre are seamlessly connected, accessible and step free.

There are three entrances located on Cathedral Square, Oxford Terrace and Armagh Street. All are accessible at street level or by ramps. Entry to the building is via automatic sliding doors.

Drop off and pick up points are available on Oxford Terrace, Armagh Street and Colombo Street.

Accessible Amenities and Services

Wheelchair Hiring

A limited number of wheelchairs are available to hire at the Centre, access can be arranged at the Te Pae Guest Services Desk in the Ground Floor Foyer. Our team will be happy to arrange the hiring of wheelchairs, however, we do encourage that the hirer brings a friend or companion to the event as they are responsible for the movement of the wheelchair around the Centre and the safe return of the wheelchair once the event has concluded.

Accessible Seating and ticket booking:

Ticketek: For special seating requirements such as hearing difficulties or impaired mobility please contact Ticketek on 0800 842 538

For wheelchair seating and inquiries, please call 0800 686 677. Please note: This line is for wheelchair seating only.

Dedicated wheelchair and companion seats are available in the Auditorium. Requirements for accessible seating can be discussed with Ticketek for ticketed events in the Auditorium or the Exhibition Halls. The Te Pae Christchurch team will be happy to assist where required.

Auditorium 1 & 2: Row A (front row), seat numbers 11-12, 27-28 (2 seats). Row BB (back row), seat numbers 11-12 (1 seat).

Auditorium 3 & 4: Row A (Front row), seat numbers 39-40, 51-52 (2 seats). Row BB (back row), sea numbers 59-60 (1 seat). Patrons can enter the Auditorium from both the ground level and level 1. Level 1 is accessible via two elevators (dimensions: W 1.65 x D 2m x H2.7m: door=1.1m wide) with wheelchair seating available in front row on the ground level and the back row on level 1. Companion seating is available in both rows. Upon entry, the elevators are in the main reception area to the left and right of the marble reception desk.

Access to Stage

Stage lifts are available in the Auditorium, on each side of the stage, front and back of house, with a total of four lifts. The Centre can also offer ramps and one electric portable lift for wheelchair access to stage in other spaces.

Accessible Restrooms

Accessible gender-neutral restrooms are located throughout the Centre, adjacent to the halls and meeting rooms. All accessible restrooms have hand basins and are fitted with handrails. Located on both the ground level and level 1. On the ground floor they are located near door A1 and near Door A4. On level 1, this is located between doors A2 & A3.  

Emergencies

Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre’s staff are trained to respond to emergency situations. If the Centre has to be evacuated public address system announcements will be broadcast across the venue. In addition to audible alarms, evacuation messages will be displayed on the Centre’s digital screens and our team will be able to assist.

Lifts

All lifts are equipped with signage and control panels that are easily accessible for wheelchair users. Along with braille, each lift is fitted with an announcement service and visual cue for each floor as well as an intercom facility activated by an alarm button.

Hearing assistance

InfraRed Hearing Augmentation is installed in all meeting rooms and Auditorium and can be provided on request in the Exhibition Halls. Complimentary hearing augmentation devices (hearing loops) are available to guests at the Guest Services desk located on Level 0 by the Oxford Terrace entrance. In order to collect a hearing augmentation device, a form of photo identification must be supplied. We do ask the device remains on premises, and that the hirer return the device to the Guest Services desk when no longer required.

Vision impairment

Braille is provided on lift call buttons, internal lift buttons, push button plates throughout the venue, hearing loop signage and low level fixed directional signage throughout the venue.

Service animals/Assistance dogs

Guide, hearing and assistance dogs are welcome into the venue. We do ask that as per the requirements of the Dog Control Act 1996 the dogs wear their working vest at all times identifying their role. Should the service animal need to be taken outside to relieve itself, please ask one of our team for assistance.

Hāpai card

We are fully certified with a Hāpai access card scheme, with our team trained and knowledgeable on how to support various disabilities. We also recognise the Sunflower Hidden Disabilities lanyard. Hāpai Access Card – Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre (hapaiaccesscard.org.nz) for more info.

Parents room

Te Pae Christchurch Parents room is located on Level 0 near the auditorium entry A2. The parents’ room is wheelchair accessible and equipped with a feeding area, change table and food preparation area.

First Aid

Te Pae Christchurch First Aid room is located on Level 0 near the Bealey rooms. Please ask our friendly team members for assistance. During an event our team members are trained in first aid and in the use of the onsite defibrillators. They can assist with emergency situations.