Meet our people: Rowena
Rowena has been part of the Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre team for four and a half years and now serves as Community and Guest Relations Manager. Before joining Te Pae Christchurch, Rowena spent more than 30 years working in early childhood education, including leadership and management roles. While a move into the events industry might seem unexpected, the people-focused skills she developed throughout her career proved to be the perfect foundation. Starting as Guest Assistance Coordinator, Rowena has helped shape and grow the guest services function at Te Pae Christchurch, evolving her role alongside the venue itself.
What inspired you to work in guest services?
If I'm honest, it was a happy accident. After spending more than 30 years in education, I decided it was time for a change and left the sector without another job lined up, which was quite a scary decision. Not long after, I saw a role advertised at Te Pae Christchurch and thought it would be exciting to work in a brand-new venue that was created to support and benefit the city. I applied, forgot all about it, and before I knew it I was interviewing and starting a completely new chapter in my career.
What do you like most about your job and working at Te Pae Christchurch?
The people. We have such a diverse team, with people from all walks of life and a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. I genuinely enjoy coming to work every day because of the people I work alongside.
I also love interacting with our guests. Every day is different, and you never know who you're going to meet or what opportunities each event will bring. One of the things I enjoy most is learning something new every day. Whether it's a conversation with a delegate or a snippet from a conference session, I always go home having learned something I didn't know that morning.
How is working at Te Pae Christchurch different from other organisations?
Most of my previous roles were in education and community-focused organisations, so joining what many people would consider the corporate world was quite a change. What stands out to me at Te Pae Christchurch is how valued people are. I feel seen and supported, and I've been encouraged to grow and develop my role as the needs of the venue have changed.
There's also a genuine sense of connection here. The welcomes you receive when you walk through the door each morning are authentic. People are happy to see one another, and that creates a positive environment for both staff and guests.
What moment are you most proud of?
I'm incredibly proud of the Guest Services team and how they've evolved since Te Pae Christchurch opened. As the venue has grown and changed, the team has adapted and developed alongside it, and it's been rewarding to watch that journey.
One moment that stands out involved a young girl who accidentally dropped her breakfast while attending an event with her father. Rather than sending them off to find something else, our kitchen team quickly put together a special breakfast on a little plate just for her. It was a small gesture, but it completely changed the family's experience. Those are the moments that make me proud to be part of Te Pae Christchurch. It's often the small, unexpected acts of kindness that have the biggest impact.
What inspires you?
The people around me inspire me every day. When I joined Te Pae Christchurch, I knew very little about the events industry, and along the way I've had the opportunity to learn from colleagues who generously shared their knowledge and experience.
More broadly, I'm inspired by people who are simply good humans. When you see others leading with kindness, positivity and a willingness to help, it encourages you to do the same. Creating positive experiences for guests and supporting one another as a team is something I find incredibly motivating.
Any hobbies or interests?
Outside of work, I enjoy gardening and spending time exploring Christchurch. I've recently moved house and have started creating a garden from scratch, which has become an exciting new project.
I also love getting out and enjoying everything the city has to offer, whether that's visiting local attractions, attending events, walking around the city or exploring places like Riverside Market. Christchurch is a vibrant city with so much to discover.
What's next for Rowena?
I'm very happy doing what I'm doing and continuing to learn as I go. I don't necessarily aspire to climb the corporate ladder; instead, my focus is on becoming even better at the role I already love.
For me, success is continuing to grow, developing my skills, and maintaining the same enthusiasm for coming to work every day. As long as I'm learning, making a positive difference and enjoying what I do, that's exactly where I want to be.
