Te Aro Hā Partnership Unveils Vision to Transform Wellington’s Courtenay Place into Creative District

A group of business and creative leaders gathered at the refurbished Paramount Theatre on Wednesday to unveil a new vision for the revitalisation of Wellington’s Courtenay Place. The initiative, known as the Te Aro Hā partnership, aims to transform the capital’s hospitality and nightlife strip into a “world-class creative district” following the cancellation of the council's $220 million Golden Mile project. Formed 18 months ago, the partnership focuses on the physical presentation of buildings as a key driver for public perception and economic growth. Miranda Richardson of property development firm Willis Bond explained that while previous projects focused on infrastructure, Te Aro Hā prioritises the aesthetic and functional quality of the precinct’s shopfronts. The Wellington City Council has supported the move, approving $150,000 from the City Growth Fund in June to facilitate visible improvements over the next year. The project’s immediate goals include repainting buildings, enhancing lighting, and upgrading facades, with three storefronts scheduled for a refresh this year. Looking further ahead, the group proposes dividing the area into four quarters. These include “Courtenay Central,” anchored by the Reading Cinema complex (set to reopen as The Court in 2027), and art-focused retail hubs on Blair and Allen streets that could eventually host markets and outdoor dining. Chaired by former mayor Dame Kerry Prendergast, the group includes representatives from Studio Pacific Architecture, Athfield Architects, and Urban Dream Brokerage. Prendergast noted that similar public-private collaborations successfully transformed the area in the 1990s. Local businesses, such as cafe and wine bar Glou Glou on Allen St, are already reporting steady growth, providing a positive foundation for the district’s proposed transformation into a liveable urban neighbourhood.