Book your Christmas party at Wero White Water Park and experience an unforgettably awesome, adrenaline-charged, splashing good time!

There’s no other party like it. Hop on an exhilarating ride down our River Rush rapids, then brace yourself for the plunge of a lifetime. At 4.5 metres, the Pump Waterfall is the highest man-made waterfall in the world and is scientifically designed to launch you out from under the water.

Then keep the fun going with a classic Kiwi barbecue and two-hour beverage package. Imagine apricot-glazed free-range ham served on the bone and sirloin steaks fresh off the grill. Seafood lovers and vegetarians get to indulge too, with cold-smoked New Zealand salmon and a wide selection of locally-sourced fruit and veg served in fresh salads or grilled to perfection. It’s an amazing spread complemented by a refreshing beverage package of wine, beer and soft drinks. This is the Christmas party they’ll be talking about for months.

Book now – your work mates will love you for it! Package is $159 including GST per person, with a minimum of 30 guests. Valid from 1 November–22 December 2018.

Booking Terms and Conditions apply. Click here to download a brochure.

Options are also available for smaller groups! To book, email Matt@pacific.org.nz.

When Vodafone Events Centre rings in the New Year, it will be with Angharad Sturrock as our new General Manager Events.

“I’m excited to join the team,” says Angharad, “to work on its successes and push the boundaries.” She aims to build a team environment that is collaborative and creative, with a strong can-do attitude and everyone working together to meet expectations – even exceed them. Her solid background in Hospitality and Events ushers in a dynamic, welcoming and responsive approach to the demands of the industry.

She is a big believer in establishing relationships and will always endeavour to have a phone conversation, if not a face-to-face one. With an empathetic approach and a knack for developing rapport, her goal is to deliver requirements by establishing clear expectations right from the beginning. “I would say, ‘Yes, we can do this,’ or, ‘We can’t do that, but can we do this instead?’ Honesty is much better. And I don’t like to say no unless I have to.”

She recalls her first job as a pot washer, 16-hour shifts as wait staff, restaurant manager, eventually moving on to event coordinating and management. She’s worked her way through almost every operational role, except the kitchen – “Because I just can’t cook,” she chuckles. But she values every single role – they’ve all helped her prepare for this and gave her important knowledge and insight from different perspectives of operations.

“I’m excited to be part of a place that supports the community, that does good for the community. I’ve heard only good things about the centre and the team.”

We’re excited to have her on board too!

For 16 fun-filled years Trillian Trust Funfest has been entertaining families and changing lives for the better. 30,000 Funfesters come through our gates every year to enjoy the festive atmosphere. There simply is no other event in Auckland of this scale, with free rides, amazing prizes, and free parking too!

This enjoyable four-day event uplifts the family on so many levels – providing children with fun, learning and prizes; while CareersFest caters to the older members of the family, offering teenagers and parents the opportunity to speak with industry experts about career paths or career changes. No one gets left out at FunFest, which now includes a day for children with special needs and their families.

Each area of the Vodafone Events Centre has something special going on, like family movies at the BNZ Theatre; karaoke, disco and stage competitions at the Sir Noel Robinson Conference Centre; and of course, the exciting rides and food stalls out on The Plaza. We can guarantee there’s something for everybody. Come join this thrilling, fulfilling summer tradition at the VEC.

Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) has renewed its partnership with Vector Wero Whitewater Park for 2018 to 2019.

"The whole team at Vector Wero is very excited that WSNZ has expressed confidence in the Wero Toru – Introduction to White Water." says Joseph Casalme, GM Community and Schools Programme, "The team worked hard to develop and deliver the river safety and crossing programme and, in our first year, over 3,000 children learned valuable knowledge and skills in assessing and successfully crossing moving water. This was made possible with the funding from WSNZ."

New Zealand has one of the highest drowning rates in the OECD, with males being four times more likely to drown than females. Drowning is also the fourth highest cause of accidental death in New Zealand.

"Every year, far too many people lose their lives through drowning. Yet research reveals that most drownings and injuries were preventable," adds Casalme.

Of the 104 drownings (both recreationally and otherwise) in New Zealand in 2017, 84% were preventable. (Water Safety NZ 2017 New Zealand Drowning Prevention Provisional Report)

The Wero Toru – Introduction to White Water is a two hour session held at the Vector Wero Whitewater Park. It is the only schools programme designed for introduction to moving and white water with actual live experience and application within a highly controlled and safe environment.

Students are taught by qualified instructors to assess dynamic river environments and basic hydrology. The children also learn the importance of wearing life jackets and safety gear around moving water.

They also gain understanding in a variety of techniques to safely cross turbulent white water before having the chance to swim the rapids. The students also get to learn and enjoy rafting down the Tamariki River.

"The funding is designed to provide access to schools with limited resources and reach out to the communities which will need the support the most."

To apply to the programme, go to www.wero.org.nz/wsnz-werotoru

The Sir Woolf Fisher Arena at Vodafone Events Centre has a new state-of-the-art truss system that allows us to host an even wider range of shows.

“In 2005, the original triangular tri-truss system was installed, and it was pretty good for its time,” says Roheet Charam, Multi-Media Systems operations manager.

“But a lot of the events that are put on these days need a completely different setup and the new design can handle anything.”

Roheet says the new setup is a square box-truss system which can support much more audio-visual equipment.

“It’s industrial standard, the strongest you can find, so it can take a lot of weight.

“It’s designed for stuff like lighting, LED screens and line array speakers. A lot of people want to put ten speakers down each side, to cover the whole arena, and they are heavy, but this truss can hold it all.

“This time, the main thing we’ve done differently is to build two systems – a north and a south truss, which offers a lot of flexibility since they can be set up and adjusted independently.”

The north half of the arena can do one thing, and at the same time the other half can do something completely different.

“We’ve also put a wireless control system on the south side truss system, so you can lower and raise the whole thing with the push of a button, from the other side of the venue.”

Roheet says it took roughly four days to install the new truss system and there is already interest from new clients.

“We’ve had a couple of companies have a look so far, and they were very impressed.”

Multi-Media Systems are supply partners and their leading audio-visual systems are available to create anything from high-tech presentations to video conferencing.

A new six-storey upscale hotel has opened in our neighbourhood – Sebel Auckland Manukau.

The contemporary accommodation is only a short walk from Second Nature Charitable Trust’s world-class facilities, including Vodafone Events Centre, Vector Wero Whitewater Park and the Momentum Hub.

And, it’s also only ten kilometres from the Auckland Airport, which makes Sebel Auckland Manukau an ideal base for conference delegates and out-of-town business guests, as well as sports and recreation visitors.

Ash Eslamy, business development manager for Sebel Auckland Manukau, says the opening has gone smoothly, with most of the rooms sold out for the first few weeks.

“We weren’t expecting it to be full – we’ve had a really good response,” he says.

“A lot of guests see us as filling a gap in the market, since we offer something unique in the area. It’s been great to accommodate them.

“We’re really lucky in that there is so much to do in the immediate area around us. We have the Vodafone Events Centre right down the road – it’s only a five-minute walk from here. We’ve already had a lot of people staying here and walking down for conferences or meetings.”

“We also have a train station and a bus stop, as well as a Westfield Mall and Rainbow’s End, all right outside. I think that’s why we’ve seen such a mix of business, corporate and leisure guests.”

Ash says they have opened four out of the six floors so far, and plan to be at full capacity by October 7.

The hotel has 152 guest rooms, with five different price options that range from $185-$300 per night.

There is also an onsite meeting space and a restaurant that seats 58 for breakfast and all-day dining.

Featuring performers from UNITEC Performing Arts School, James Cook High School and the Auckland Chinese Philharmonic Choir, ONE - The Earth Rises has caught the eye of Tempo Dance Festival.

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Ranginui (Sky Father) and Papatuanuku (Earth Mother) were forced apart, separated by their son Tane Mahuta (God of the Forests). It was Ranginui’s tears that fell onto the earth and became the sacred rivers of the people of our land. The wairua or spirit of the river help guide the people home when they do not know which way to go.

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Award winning choreographer Moss Patterson (Ngāti Tūwharetoa) wrangles the talent of over fifty performers combining Maori, Polynesian and Chinese narratives and the rhythms of traditional kapa haka and tai chi to create the powerful new contemporary dance story.

Featuring performers from UNITEC Performing Arts School, James Cook High School, the Auckland Chinese Philharmonic Choir and the Auckland arts community, ONE: The Earth Rises narrates a whakapapa of the Manukau region with untold stories inspired by local Maori traditions and the development of Chinese market gardens in the Manukau area.

There will be two performances will be presented. The first is a dance project on Wednesday 27 June for schools to attend for free. The final performance has been invited to be part of Tempo Dance Festival which will be held on Wednesday 3 October.

Patterson has fused traditional and contemporary dance forms with striking live visual projections from sand artist Marcus Winter aka the Sandman with electronic and choral soundscapes created by Paddy Free from Pitch Black fame. These two incredible collaborators have taken the project to another level gracing it with incredible sound, mighty projection and banging visuals in celebration of our diversity and our very own stories.

ONE: The Earth Rises is presented by the Vodafone Events Centre Schools Programme and TOHU Productions in partnership with AUT and the Ministry of Education's LEOTC Programme. It is supported through the Auckland Diversity Project Fund of Creative New Zealand and Foundation North.

Impressively within a few weeks on the job, our new CEO David Comery learnt that wearing a suit to work can mean it will be made of rubber rather than fine grade wool.

It started out as an innocent observation of a health and safety exercise with the Vector Wero Whitewater Park team and before David knew it he was thrown into the rapids for a swim.

“I thought they were joking when they told me to get into a wetsuit, but they really meant it,” says David.

“Swimming the river was great fun but afterwards it felt like I was blowing out water for days.”

It hasn’t all been white-water excursions for David since his handover with Second Nature Charitable Trust’s departing CEO Richard Jeffery.

Meeting and Greeting

A steady stream of meetings with business stakeholders, staff members and the board has introduced David to one element of the charitable trust organisational structure.

“I’m coming to terms with quite a different business model and now, I’ll be meeting community stakeholders. They are paramount to our trust.”

David is about to launch into a circuit of local board meetings to learn more about the significance of local bodies and to introduce himself to these community leaders.

The People and the Place

“Richard built a formidable team at Second Nature Charitable Trust and they have been most welcoming and are assisting me to understand the business flow.”

He describes Richard as a trailblazer backed up by a solid group of loyal, dedicated people.

During David’s first two months the Events Centre has hosted a number of significant events, conferences and shows so he has experienced the buzz and unique operational demands of the venue.

“It is a considerably different scale with a much larger footprint here, in comparison to the hotel sector from which I have come even at a specialist meetings venue like Waipuna Hotel and Conference Centre.

“Empty – Vodafone Events Centre is impressive. Full – it’s very impressive.

“The size and nature of such a venue demands special skills quite different from the fully integrated hotel business.”

Working Together

Maximising the strength of collaboration between all stakeholders, staff members and the organisations within the Momentum Hub is on David’s radar.

“We want everyone to share ideas and energy, ensuring none of us duplicates efforts. This is definitely an area we can build on.”

Opportunities for Growth

It would be a folly to assume that the departure of Richard meant the job of developing Second Nature’s asset was done.

“Very soon, exciting new ventures that complement the white water outdoor education model will add to the challenges for our clients.”

David’s first two months have raced by with his time invested in extensive learning and forward planning.

It looks likely that he will be knocking off for Christmas before he has time to blink.

Letting the ingredients do the talking for a dish, is a simple yet successful philosophy for the culinary professionals who are behind every menu item created by Austin’s.

For several years, Second Nature Charitable Trust has partnered with Austin’s Food Design Events and just in time for winter, Austin’s has moved its full kitchen from Mt Eden to our South Auckland home.

Austin’s director, Alex Weatherhead says food transforms the ordinary to the unforgettable.

“As much as conference delegates and event guests are inspired by presenters and workshops – the food is a pivotal part of every occasion,” says Alex.

“The autumn and winter menu has just been released and we’ve concentrated on using fresh seasonal ingredients.”

The chef’s take pride in producing ingredient-driven menus and cooking with seasonality improves taste, price and sustainability.

Catering with Local Seasonality

Austin’s is building its list of local food growers and suppliers – exploring Pukekohe for fresh produce and Manukau for specialist ingredients.

The new executive chef, John Nicholson says Austin’s latest menu balances lots of flavour with ease of eating, which is especially important for events.

“Specific menu items embrace modern culinary form, with a nod to popular Kiwi fusion cuisine,” says John.

“We have a fantastic menu with the ingredients as the star performers!”

Right now, chicken gnocchi is giving people’s taste buds a treat.

Flexible Food Culture

The fresh approach to food design is enhanced by Austin’s ability to remain flexible.

John works with clients to accommodate out of the ordinary request that set the theme and food culture for an event.

“Now that Austin’s is located at Vodafone Events Centre I can be involved at the earliest stages of planning,” says John.

Almost anything goes – whether a client wants a street food theme or multiple course formal dinner.

International Chefs

In the heat of the kitchen, chefs with global experience add diversity to the menu.

The multi-cultural team reflects the community that is embraced by Second Nature Charitable Trust and the dishes they create, reflect the taste expectations of guests.

Vodafone Event Centre’s sales team will be hard to miss at two upcoming MICE tradeshows – Convene (being held at the centre) on April 10, and MEETINGS on May 30-31.

The name of their campaign, Meet. Play. Sleep. will be emblazoned across the six-stand exhibit space and the mood will be celebratory.

“Our venue is bursting with opportunities,” says Second Nature Charitable Trust (SNCT) chief operating officer Karyn Spencer.

Along with its family of quality partners, Vodafone Event Centre proudly announces zero logistics for event organisers when the Ramada Pacific Hotel & Suites Manukau opens for business mid-2019.

Other quality partners include Austin’s Food Design Events and Multi-Media Systems Ltd.

“These developments mean total ease for event organisers and attendees,” Spencer says.

“Delegates attend conference during the day; then network or perhaps something more physical.

“How about a team-building white water raft experience at Vector Wero Whitewater Park just 50 metres away from your meeting room, then a short stroll across the car park back to your room, to change for the gala dinner.”

Nineteen months ago, extra conference, event and meetings capacity was added – the Sir Noel Robinson Conference Centre connected to Vodafone Events Centre (VEC).

“This is the outrigger to our waka, the waka being the events centre, and the market is really responding to the additional conference space. Ramada has further strengthened the centre’s value to the industry.”

Expected to open mid-2019 with reservations opening in the New Year, the Ramada will offer 200 beds with a configuration of 85 hotels rooms and 67 serviced apartment suites.

Auckland city’s accommodation squeeze is great news for Auckland South and the Vodafone Events Centre in particular, Spencer says.

“Companies conduct business outside of the CBD and Ramada is capitalising absolutely on that. With the centre adjacent to the Auckland Airport, with direct access of two major motorways, people no longer have to battle the traffic into the congested CBD.”

Multi-Media’s managing director, Damian Wong, says Austin’s and Multi-Media have been part of the VEC family since the venue opened in 2005.

“The key to our continued success is that we’re not just suppliers to VEC but partners, with a similar business ethos around clients receiving the best service.”

Austin’s general manger Olwyn Morgan agrees and says, “Vodafone Events Centre and Vector Wero Whitewater Park are already extremely popular and having a hotel on-site will only add to the growing popularity.”

At Convene, Austin’s is focussing on local seasonal produce and international flavours, especially Asian fusion.

There will be fun food stations for guests as they enjoy a taster of new executive chef John Nicholson’s flavour vision.

“Restaurant quality dishes will be served across all events, no matter the size of the event,” Morgan says.

The Second Nature Charitable Trust are the proud custodians on behalf of the community of the Vodafone Events Centre and Vector Wero Whitewater Park.

A core principle of the Trust is a social enterprise model that invests corporate dollars directly back into the development of Auckland’s young people, which is already making a difference. “One of yours for one of ours.”

Second Nature Charitable Trust’s CEO has worked with everything from politicians to event promoters in his determination to transform a swampy paddock into an internationally recognised destination.

Throughout 18 years, Richard Jeffery developed a dynamic complex where young people can ignite a vision of a bright future and in 2017 he announced it was time for someone else to take the trust to its next stage.

Ask Richard what one of his most memorable accomplishments is and he doesn’t hesitate to say; helping to put choreographer Parris Goebel in the spotlight and helping her achieve international hip-hop stardom.

“Back in 2000, Vodafone Events Centre [formerly TelstraClear Pacific] opened its doors on time and on budget, providing Manukau a creative heart and focal point,” says Richard.

“South Auckland always got a bad rap and the trust created a positive place where we see the real talent, enthusiasm and aspirations of the local community.

“It’s all about seeing that lightbulb moment when children are completely engaged on the stage, in a leadership conference or on the white-water.”

Richard tackles challenges head on and pushed hard for the development of Vector Wero Whitewater Park, The Momentum Hub and most recently a neighbouring hotel.

He relentlessly worked to gain support from organisations that shared Second Nature Charitable Trust’s vision to build a world-leading white-water park and supporting facilities.

“We wanted to create an outdoor education centre beside our arts and events facility.

“We had already proven its financial, educational and entertainment sustainability and the board had the vision to give Manukau an international destination that retains its local significance.”

Every year, more than 36,000 students go through the trust’s schools programme, which includes more than 11,800 young people experiencing white-water out-of-classroom education.

The final development Richard saw come to fruition is the development of Ramada Suites hotel and apartment complex beside Vodafone Events Centre and Vector Wero Whitewater Park.

“It took more than 13 years but finally in February 2018, the earthworks started to build an internationally recognised hotel in Manukau.”

Chair of Second Nature Charitable Trust, Sir Noel Robinson is sad to see Richard leave but was relieved the departing CEO gave them a year to find a replacement.

“Richard will still be a fine ambassador for the trust,” says Sir Noel.

“We always employ the best and David Comery, Mount Wellington Licensing Trust’s chief executive has the experience and philosophies required for the CEO role.

“David starts with us in early April and after the handover, Richard will occasionally advise on special projects for the trust.”

David’s unique experience, combines commercial enterprise with charitable trust work, which gave him the expertise required for the CEO position with Second Nature Charitable Trust.

“The most rewarding part of my career has been social enterprise work and I feel I’m attuned to the philosophies of the trust,” says David.

“I’m looking forward to working with a high-powered board that gives so much of its time to the community.”

He is keen to continue the collaboration of other not-for-profit organisations based at the trust’s Momentum Hub, helping them to work together to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.

Richard is moving to rural Hawkes Bay to spend more time with family and plans to look for company directorships.

Hospitality giant Wyndham Hotel Group and New Zealand developer Safari Group today announced plans to open an 85-room Ramada Suites in Manukau, bolstering the Ramada brand’s presence in the country and addressing a growing demand for lodging in the Auckland area.

Slated for completion in mid-2019, construction is expected to start in January 2018. Ramada Manukau is Wyndham Hotel Group’s seventh collaboration with Safari Group. Globally, Ramada offers approximately 850 hotels spanning more than 60 countries, including over 90 hotels currently open and operating in South East Asia and the Pacific Rim.

The NZ$25 million development, managed by Marsden Asset Management, will offer studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments, each with a fully equipped laundry and kitchen.

Ramada Manukau will provide convenient lodging for travellers attending events and sporting matches at the adjacent multi-purpose Vodafone Events Centre. Its ideal location is within walking distance of Manukau’s growing central business district, Westfield Manukau and Vector Wero Whitewater Park, while also offering easy access to both Auckland Airport and the Auckland CBD.

At just 11km from Auckland Airport – where nearly 19 million passengers arrive into the city each year – Ramada Manukau is ideally positioned to provide visitors to Auckland the opportunity to experience Ramada’s signature hospitality.

“The rising need for quality hotels and trusted brand names in Auckland has created growth opportunities for hoteliers here,” said Barry Robinson, President and Managing Director, Wyndham Hotel Group South East Asia and Pacific Rim. “We currently have two hotels open in Auckland and a further two under development. The fast-growing demand makes this city an important strategic market for our expansion in the South Pacific.”

He continued, “Auckland’s tourism potential is not constrained to its CBD – areas to the north and south, like Manukau, have seen growing business and leisure interest. Our recently opened Ramada Suites Albany, located north of the city, has achieved outstanding occupancy figures since opening, and we expect Ramada Manukau to make a similar impression in the south.”

In 2014, New Zealand’s tourism industry launched Tourism 2025 – a roadmap to build tourism revenue by six per cent a year to reach $41 billion by 2025 – but growth has so far outstripped those predictions. New premium lodging is now essential – particularly in Auckland, where industry experts predict a persisting shortage.

Vodafone Events Centre Chief Executive Officer Richard Jeffery said the hotel’s location will benefit both Wyndham Hotel Group and the centre. “We expect that the presence of quality accommodation like Ramada Manukau next to our conference centre and water park will help the area attract even higher-profile events as our region grows.”

Safari Group Director Robert Neil said investor interest in Ramada Manukau’s serviced hotel apartments is strong thanks to the success of the company’s existing Ramada hotels.

“We have now collaborated with Wyndham Hotel Group for three years and know its globally recognised and trusted Ramada brand is a significant draw for investors seeking out mixed hotel and residential projects,” he said.

Ramada Manukau will participate in Wyndham Rewards®, Wyndham Hotel Group’s simple-to-use, revolutionary loyalty program that offers members a generous points-earning structure along with a flat, free-night redemption rate.

Members earn a guaranteed 1,000 points with every qualified stay and can redeem a free night at more than 8,000 hotels worldwide for just 15,000 points per night, or at any of more than 22,000 vacation condos and homes for just 15,000 points per bedroom, per night. Learn more and join for free at www.WyndhamRewards.com.

© Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific 2017. Used with permission from Ramada NZ.

The latest addition to the Vector Wero Whitewater Park is a $1.5 million contemporary container village housing like-minded organisations working with young people in the community.

The ‘Momentum Hub’ was officially opened by Prime Minister Bill English in February and is funded by the Secondary Nature Charitable Trust and Joyce Fisher Charitable Trust.

Six local organisations have moved into the village, including the Big Buddy Foundation, John Walker Find Your Field of Dreams, Life Education Trust, The Rising Foundation, iSport Foundation and the Manukau Beautification Trust.

Rent-free office space, including power and internet, is provided to all of the organisations within the Hub.

Second Nature Charitable Trust chief executive Richard Jeffery says the organisations were brought together to foster collaboration within not-for-profit youth development education.

“We wanted an organisational and operational structure that provided more bang for buck. Vector Wero Whitewater Park can collaborate with the organisations with outdoor education activities that support the youth education programmes of the charitable trusts.”

The container village also includes the Rapids Café and Sunset Bar where the community can socialise and cap off a day of activities on the water at the whitewater park.

Life Education Trust Counties Manukau chairperson Paul Cressey was quick to accept the invitation to join the Momentum Hub.

“Many of our funders look for evidence of collaboration in our sector and this is a real way of looking at how to make savings and avoid duplication of resources.

“All trusts involved in the Momentum Hub are passionate about the people of Counties Manukau and we have an amazing opportunity to share knowledge, work together and have more impact in our community. Life Education’s sponsors are excited to be a part of a leading edge initiative and I must commend the trustees of the forward-thinking Joyce Fisher Charitable Trust and the Second Nature Charitable Trust.”

Currently, the six trusts have more than 100,000 points of contact with students, mainly from Counties Manukau, but also extending throughout Auckland.

Get on Santa’s nice list and get your office Christmas party organised now. We have the most exciting and fun-filled Christmas packages this side of Auckland.

Choose our classic Christmas function and enjoy bubbles at the door, a delicious, beautifully-presented seated buffet menu, five hours of beverage service, free parking, Christmas crackers, and a dedicated customer service manager to look after your party’s needs. The Vodafone Events Centre will help you make it the perfect end to a great year.

Beat the Christmas rush. Contact us today by at (09) 9661747 or click here for more information.

Vodafone Events Centre welcomes homegrown event company Eventfinda as the exclusive ticketing partner of the event centre, including the Sir Woof Fisher Arena and the BNZ Theater, and Sir Noel Robinson Conference Centre.

“Eventfinda is the country’s leading events website with a powerful digital ticketing and marketing platform. We are looking forward to work with them as a partner and provide a cutting edge system to our promoters and clients at the Vodafone Event Centre and even for events at the Vector Wero Whitewater Park.” said Joseph Casalme, GM Community and Schools Engagement.

Started by young entrepreneur James McGlinn, CEO, and business partner Michael Turner, Co-founder, 11 years ago, Eventfinda pride themselves on enabling promoters and venues to create memorable moments, which fits the Vodafone Events Centre ethos. The centre will take advantage of Eventfinda’s in-house technology design and development team, staying current with the latest technical advances in ticketing technology.

As a full-service, New Zealand-based ticketing company built on top of the New Zealand’s largest and most popular event and live entertainment discovery guide, Eventfinda is uniquely positioned to deliver a breadth of innovative services in support of the forward-thinking Vodafone Events Centre, its hirers and customers.

“We’re thrilled to enter a partnership with Vodafone Events Centre” said James. “We are committed to providing New Zealand's best ticketing experience for the venue, their event promoters and their customers.”

For more information on Eventfinda, visit www.eventfinda.co.nz.

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Few city-slicker sales managers would find themselves confronting the challenge of white water but Karyn Spencer’s ability to ride the rapids has resulted in a significant promotion. Karyn’s recent appointment as chief operating officer (COO) at Vodafone Events Centre is attributed to her resilience and dedication to the successful entertainment, conference and sports hub.

Richard Jeffery, CEO for the multi-faceted complex, says Karyn was promoted to the position because she was undoubtedly the best person for the job.

“The structure of the organisation has grown with the addition of Vector Wero Whitewater Park and Sir Noel Robinson Conference Centre, and we needed continuity of operational culture,” Richard says.

“Our board works hard to find the best people to do the job – with maximum efficiencies and quality service across all elements of the centre.”

When Karyn became Vodafone Events Centre sales manager in 2012, she had worked with Richard in the past and already understood the principles of Manukau’s visionary town hall.

“When it was under construction in 2004 I put on a hard hat and visited the site, and stayed in touch over the years, which meant I knew the venue well,” Karyn says.

“I worked on contract during the Rugby World Cup 2011 and when that ended, I was attracted to Vodafone Events Centre by the blend of corporate, commercial and community work.”

Karyn’s life-long career in hospitality and event management developed her cool head and attention to detail.

Being thrown in the deep end doesn’t faze her, which was most recently tested when Joseph Parker’s fight against Razvan Cojanu was moved to the venue with 10 days to prepare for 3000 spectators.

“The team pulled together and managed the event seamlessly.”

In April, a significant coup for Karyn was securing the expo for meeting and conference co-ordinators, Convene 2017, at Vodafone Events Centre.

“People habitually look to central Auckland for expo and conference venues but our location is accessible from all transport routes and Vector Wero Whitewater Park is a dramatic point of difference.”

Convene 2017 was an outstanding success and will be hosted at Vodafone Events Centre again in 2018.