More information

Accommodation Discounts

Make your trip easy and affordable by staying close to The Gathering with these hotel deals:

Oaks Hotel Wellington Use code
EVENT15
for 15% off your stay (16–18 July 2026).
The Sebel – Wellington & Lower Hutt Use code
BGPG
for discounted rates (16–18 July 2026).

Family Activities

Wide open harbour views, flat walking paths, great for scooters and kids Heritage street full of food options, coffee spots, and ice cream Estuary walks, picnic areas, and open green space
Contemporary art + family-friendly exhibitions Long flat walking/cycling paths along the river Easy bush walks and waterfall tracks Shopping & movies

Hutt indoor Sports Complex (10 min drive)

Family Friendly activities

(booking required)

(booking required)

Indoor entertainment hub (food, bowling, go-karts, ice skating seasonal) Indoor pool (family friendly) Bush walks (family-friendly)
Playgrounds, scooters, cafés, and harbour walks Interactive national museum (free entry) Tours can be booked (great for teens/adults) Iconic ride up to the Botanic Gardens Family-friendly animal experiences Indoor skating rink & pre-school play area (fun for the whole family)
Wildlife sanctuary with walking trails Beach, playgrounds, cafés Garden & bush walks for the whole family

Transport

Getting to The Gathering at ARISE Centre Petone is simple and convenient, no matter how you're travelling. Located in the heart of Petone, the venue is easily accessible by car, train, bus. With a range of transport options available and nearby parking, we've made it easy for you to plan your journey and arrive with ease ready for the event.

There is limited on-site parking available at the front of the ARISE Centre Petone. We recommend using the overflow carpark at Pito-One Road, Korokoro, Lower Hutt 5012 (see map below), which is only a short walk from the venue.

Map of overflow carpark at Pito-One Road, Korokoro, near ARISE Centre Petone

Clear signage will be in place to help guide you, and our ARISE Team will be onsite to welcome you and direct you from both the main and overflow carparks to ensure a smooth arrival.

Driving times to ARISE Centre Petone can vary depending on traffic and the time of day, so please allow extra time when planning your journey.

From Wellington Airport:

The ARISE Centre Petone is approximately a 20–30 minute drive.

From Wellington CBD:

The ARISE Centre Petone is approximately a 10–15 minute drive.

From Lower Hutt City:

The ARISE Centre Petone is approximately a 5–10 minute drive.

From Upper Hutt City:

The ARISE Centre Petone is approximately a 20 minute drive.

From Porirua City:

The ARISE Centre Petone is approximately a 15–20 minute drive.

Getting to The Gathering at ARISE Centre Petone is easy, with regular public transport connections available across the Hutt Valley and Wellington region.


Train
Travel via the Hutt Valley Line to Petone Station. From there, it’s a short walk to the ARISE Centre.

For current train times, fares, and service updates, please refer to Metlink:
Bus
Metlink bus services operate frequently through Petone and the wider Hutt Valley, with direct and connecting routes from central Wellington.

Timetables and service updates can be found here:
Airport Express
The Airport Express service runs between Wellington Airport and Wellington Railway Station, with return connections available.

More information and timetables here:

Wristbands

If you've registered for The Gathering, you can collect your wristband and information pack at one of the following times and locations:

Before The Gathering

Collect from the Welcome, Giving & Resources stand at your campus on:

  • Sunday 5th of July
  • Sunday 12th of July

At the ARISE Centre Petone

  • Thursday 16th of July – from 11:00am
  • Friday 17th of July – from 8:00am

Important Information

  • Wristbands are required for entry to all Gathering sessions
  • Children will receive a lanyard instead of a wristband
  • Wristbands/lanyards must be worn at all times during the event
  • To help avoid queues, we encourage you to collect your wristband before the event where possible

Meal deals

More information coming soon

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  • Forward logo
  • Arise Centre, Wellington
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  • REGISTER NOW
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  • 16-18 JULY 2026