Message from His Excellency The Right Honorable Lieutenant General Sir Jerry Mateparae

On behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand, I am honored to submit our nation’s Wellington Candidature File for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

New Zealand has a long and proud association with the Commonwealth Games, having competed in every Games since they began in 1930 and hosted the Games three times.

Our host city, Wellington, is an iconic New Zealand cultural and tourism destination which attracts millions of international and domestic visitors

each year.Wellington, in the north island, will deliver an exciting, safe and friendly event built on a solid base of economic, cultural and social commitment.

The athletes will not only enjoy the magnificent natural beauty of our city but superb facilities and venues. They will also be supported by thousands of volunteers

and technical officials with a proven record in delivering world-class events. Most importantly, all levels of Government will work together in the knowledge that

they represent a nation that embraces sport as an important part of our identity. The Commonwealth Games epitomise all that we treasure as a nation –

multiculturalism, sportsmanship, community and a passion for excellence. The New Zealand people stand firmly behind our bid and look forward to welcoming the

athletes of the Commonwealth to our shores.

The Right Honorable Prime Minister of New Zealand John Key

It is with great excitement and anticipation that we submit the Wellington Candidature File for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Our country has seen a transformation over the last 20 years. Wellington continues to be world renowned as a tourism destination but we are increasingly becoming known for our cultural development, our sporting prowess and particularly our

ability to deliver international sporting events.The New Zealand Government is wholly and enthusiastically supportive of the

Wellington 2026 Commonwealth Games Bid. We have made a financial commitment to ensure the development of infrastructure that will offer athletes superb conditions

and inspire and motivate them to perform at their very best.A 2026 Commonwealth Games in Wellington will be a compact and

efficient event with the majority of existing venues complemented by new structures, which will rise up less than 20 minutes drive from the proposed Athlete’s Village.

A successful Wellington Bid will ensure the Games continue to thrive in new markets, reach younger generations and uphold the Commonwealth

Games Federation core values of ‘Humanity, Equality and Destiny’. I firmly believe that Wellington can provide the athletes, their friends and supporters and

visitors from around the world with a whole of Games experience that they will remember fondly for the rest of their lives.

We look forward to extending the warm hand of friendship, Kiwi style.

Mayor of Wellington Celia Wade-Brown

As Mayor of Wellington and avid fan of the Commonwealth Games, I am so proud to submit our city's candidature file for the hosting rights to the for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Wellington represents an ideal location for the Commonwealth Games. Our experience in delivering major events is complemented by world class and easily accessible venues, a variety of

quality accommodation, beautiful weather and outstanding attractions that will appeal to athletes, the games family, friends and supporters from all over the world.

I have been overwhelmed by the support and enthusiasm of our local community and beyond by the encouragement of the nation at large. We are ready to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games

and look forward to sharing the wonders of this city. Foremost, I believe we can deliver a Commonwealth Games where athletes will shine, the world will marvel at the outstanding competition and visitors will enjoy a games experience like no other experienced before.

Wellington looks forward to welcoming one and all in 2026.

HAERE MAI - NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand has a rich and fascinating history, reflecting our Maori heritage dating back 700 years and European settlement in the late 18th century.

With a patchwork history of Māori, European, Pacific Island and Asian cultures, New Zealand has become a melting-pot population - but one with some uniting features that make it unique in the world.Today, of the 4.4 million New Zealanders (informally known as Kiwis), approximately 69% are of European descent, 14.6% are indigenous Māori, 9.2% Asian and 6.9% non-Māori Pacific Islanders.

Spectacular glaciers, picturesque fiords, rugged mountains, vast plains, rolling hillsides, subtropical forest, volcanic plateau, miles of coastline with gorgeous sandy beaches - it’s all here. No wonder New Zealand is becoming so popular as a location for movies. The North Island of New Zealand has a 'spine' of mountain ranges running through the middle, with gentle rolling farmland on both sides. The central North Island is dominated by the Volcanic Plateau, an active volcanic and thermal area. The massive Southern Alps form the backbone of the South Island. To the east of the Southern Alps is the rolling farmland of Otago and Southland, and the vast, flat Canterbury Plains.

New Zealand has a temperate climate with many hours of sunshine. While the far north has subtropical weather during summer, and inland alpine areas of the South Island can be as cold as -10°C (14°F) in winter, most of the country lies close to the coast, which means mild temperatures. Over 20 percent of New Zealand is covered in national parks, forest areas and reserves - and these are the best places to observe our native flora and fauna. Our mainland also has two World Heritage Areas - Tongariro in the Central North Island and Te Wahipounamu in the south-west of the South Island.Our 14 national parks contain an incredible variety of unspoiled landscape and vegetation. Administered and maintained by the Department of Conservation, these parks provide opportunity for a wide variety of activities including hiking, mountain biking, skiing and snowboarding, kayaking and trout fishing.

Your journey starts, under southern skies!

KIA ORA - WELLINGTON

Arts, culture, fine dining and breathtaking natural scenery – that's what Wellington's all about.

Wellington is New Zealand's centre of government and the world's southernmost capital city. It is also the country's cultural capital and the third most populous urban area in New Zealand.The city is home to many museums, theatres and arts festivals, including Te Papa Tongarewa (the Museum of New Zealand), the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Royal New Zealand Ballet, and the biennial Festival of the Arts.Wellington is also a leading centre for creative industries, such as film and computer technology, and it is the home of the New Zealand Stock Exchange (NZX).The city is situated alongside Wellington Harbour and surrounded by natural beauty including Zealandia, an award-winning eco-attraction just minutes from the central business district.

New Zealand's capital city is nestled between rolling hills and a stunning harbour, and has a vibrant and compact downtown area that is best explored on foot. The city is home to Te Papa, the national museum, which tells the story of New Zealand's history through bold and interactive exhibits. In Wellington you will discover an amazing range of cafes, art galleries, thatres, attractions and a humming nightlife. The gourmet and wine experiences of the Wairarapa region are also just a short drive away.

Wellington enjoys around 2,000 sunshine hours a year. By comparison, London averages 1,500, Edinburgh 1,350 and Vancouver 1,850. Relax at Oriental Bay, Wellington’s golden-sand inner-city beach and delve into the many museums, art galleries and theatre shows that make up the city’s pulsing cultural scene. If you’re into the outdoors, Wellington has action-packed adventure activities like mountain biking and sea-water kayaking, as well as beautiful walks around the harbor and surrounding hills.

The coolest little capital in the world!

OUR GAMES

Proposed dates: Wellington's games would begin with the Opening Ceremony taking place at Westpac Stadium on 15th February 2026 and the Closing Ceremony 16 days later at the same venue on 3rd March 2026.The Para-Commonwealth Games will run from 17th March 2026 until the 27th March 2026 – 2 weeks after the Commonwealth Games.

Queens Baton Relay: The 2026 Baton Relay will visit all 71 nations of the Commonwealth, before a domestic tour around New Zealand, ending at the Opening Ceremony in Wellington on 15th February 2026. On its journey the Baton will visit the stunning beaches of Northland, the bustling city of Auckland, Lake Taupo and the volcanic Mount Ruapehu. Crossing the Cook Strait, it will enter the South Island at the stunning Tasman National Park, before continuing down the west coast to Fjordland, the southern cities of Invercargil and Dunedin, visiting the Southern Alps and Queenstown, making an emotional visit to previous host and regenerated Christchurch, before heading to the nations capital.

Cultural Commonwealth: The 2026 games will provide a range of cultural events showcasing the best of New Zealand culture and that of the Commonwealth. This will include free shows of music, the arts and cultural performances. Various venues in Wellington and beyond will host these events. The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Kapa Haka groups, musicians, comedians, media personalities and theatrical companies will all play a part in keeping our visitors entertained during the 17 days of the games. The younger generation will be acknowledged by a range of events headlined by our games mascot, ensuring that each and everyone is involved in celebrating our games.

A stadium of four million!

TRANSPORT

Wellington International Airport is located eight kilometres southeast of downtown Wellington in the suburb of Rongotai.International flights operate to and from four Australian destinations - Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney and Melbourne - as well as Fiji.Domestic flights are provided by Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Sounds Air, Air2there and Air West Coast. The national carrier, Air New Zealand operates international flights to and from a range world wide destinations. Other major carriers also operate in Auckland, helping bring the world to our shores.

Wellington has an extensive network of bus routes. The majority of buses in the Wellington area are powered by diesel, but GOWellington has 60 trolleybuses that it operates within Wellington city. The trolleybus network was introduced between 1949 and 1964 to replace Wellington's trams. All GOWellington and Valley Flyer buses accept the contactless Snapper card payment method. As of April 2011, GOWellington buses report real time location information which is displayed on electronic signs in some Wellington bus stops and can be viewed online.

The Regional Council's Regional Public Transport Plan notes Wellington has:•a rail network with 147 carriages, serving 53 stations•a bus network with 470 buses (including trolleybuses) serving around 2,800 stops on around 108 routes•two harbour ferries•a five-station funicular, the Cable Car.

HOTELS

Hotels in Wellington come in all shapes, sizes and personalities. From budget to luxury, there are hundreds of hotels to choose from around the country.Hotel accommodation provides a range of facilities which will generally include restaurants/cafes, bars, gyms, and services including valet car parking. New Zealand hotels are of a consistently high standard. Make sure you book a Qualmark star rated property if quality, good service and facilities are important to you. In New Zealand you'll find the top international hotel chains, such as Westin, Accor, Hilton, Hyatt, Rydges and InterContinental

New Zealanders make up the city’s largest visitor market, with 3.6 million visits being made to Wellington each year. New Zealand visitors spend on average $2.4 million a day in the city.[52] The capital has approximately 540,000 international visitors each year, who spend 3.7 million nights and $436 million in the city each year. Wellington's largest international visitor market is Australia, with over 210,000 making the trip across the Tasman and spending a total of approximately $334 million annually.[53]Cruise tourism to the capital is experiencing a major boom, in line with nationwide development. The 2010/11 season saw 125,000 passengers and crew visit the city on 60 liners. There are 80 vessels booked for stopovers in the 2011/12 season – estimated to inject more than $31 million into the region’s economy and representing a 74% increase in the space of two years.

Inner city hotel capacity has grown in line with demand. From 2001-2011, hotel beds in Wellington city increased by 50%. Occupancy rates have risen slightly - from around 67% to over 70% - as well as evening out right across the week. Dollars taken by the 19 hotels in Positively Wellington Tourism’s hotel monitor was over $100 million in 2011. This compares with 15 hotels taking in just over $37 million in 2002; an increase of 170%.

VENUES

The majority of games venues will be situated within the Wellington City area. These venues are all situated within close proximity of each other and easily accessible by public transport for spectators and visitors. People will also be able to walk to other venues within a short period of time. Athletes will be bussed to the venues within 20 minutes of the Athletes Village, enabling them to be prepared for competition and time to be able to be well rested afterward.

VENUES

SPORTS VENUE CAPACITY

Aquatics Kilbirnie Aquatics Centre 8000 (Redeveloped)

Athletics Westpac Stadium 30000

Badminton Coutts Arena (Temporary) 2000

Basketball Vodaphone Arena (new) 15000

Boxing Te Rauparaha Arena (Porirua) 3000

Cricket Basin Reserve 11000

Cycling Hataitai Velodrome 10000 (Redeveloped)

Football North Harbour Stadium (Auckland)

25000

Gymnastics Vodaphone Arena (new) 15000

Field Hockey Berhampore Hockey Centre 5000 (Temporary)

Judo ASB Arena 2000

Lawn Bowls Wellington Bowling Club 1500 (Temporary)

Netball Vodaphone Arena (new) 15000

Rugby 7's Westpac Stadium 30000

Shooting Upper Hutt Rifle Club 2000 (Temporary)

Squash Coutts Arena (Temporary) 2000

Table Tennis Coutts Arena (Temporary) 2000

Tennis Aro Valley Tennis Centre 4000 – 3 courts

Triathlon Wellington Harbour/City Up to 5000

Weightlifting St James Theatre 3000

Wrestling ASB Arena 2000

• Majority of venues are in Wellington, with Auckland and Porirua being secondary venues areas hosting football and boxing competitions.

WESTPAC STADIUM

Westpac Stadium was built in 1999 and is close to Wellington Train and Bus Station. It is home to the Lions and Hurricanes Rugby teams as well as the Wellington Phoenix football team. Its capacity is 36,000 seated. It is known locally as the 'cake tin'. It also hosts the New Zealand cricket team matches for internationals. In 2011 the stadium hosted matches including 2 quarter final matches of the Rugby World Cup. The stadium will undergo some refurbishments and enhancements due to be completed by 2015. In 2026 the stadium will host both the opening and closing ceremonies as well as athletics and rugby 7's.

KILBIRNIE AQUATICS CENTRE

The aquatics centre in Kilbirnie is situated east of Wellington city centre. The Aquatic Centre in Kilbirnie is a 50m Olympic size pool, equipped with diving boards and platforms. The centre also has a learners pool and a toddlers pool. Additional facilities include spas, saunas, a fitness centre, a swim school, a café, a creche and a swim shop. It is the host venue for many of New Zealand's premier Aquatic Events. It also offers numerous programmes and is the preferred choice for lane swimming in Wellington. WRAC boasts pure, crystal clear ozone treated water which enhances that "Feeling Great" sensation. It will undergo minor refurbishment to bring the area to a capacity of 8000 seated. In 2026 it will host the aquatic events.

COUTTS ARENA

Coutts Arena, named after New Zealand Olympian Russell Coutts will be a temporary games venue built to host badminton, squash and table tennis. It will have a capacity of 2000 seated. It will be located in the Newtown area of the city. After the games the venue will be dismantled and its parts used for the construction of other projects in the region.

VODAPHONE ARENA

The Vodaphone Arena will be a new multi purpose arena located on the Wellington Waterfront, replacing the existing TSB Bank Arena. The venue will have a capacity of 15000 seated during the games and increased capacities for post games events. The 2026 the venue will host basketball, gymnastics (artistic and rythmic) and netball. Its central location makes it easy accesible and close to major transport hubs.

BASIN RESERVE

The Basin Reserve in the Mount Cook area of Wellington is situated close to the city centre. It is one of the country's main cricket grounds and in 2026 will host the cricket. It has a capacity of 11000. It will host matches in the 2015 Cricket World Cup and regulalrly hosts the New Zealand cricket team playing internationals. It is home to the Wellington Firebirds team.

WELLINGTON BOWLING CLUB

The 2026 bowls competition will take place at the Wellington Bowling Club, situated in the Te Aro area of the city. Temporary stands will make the venue a 1500 capacity.

HATAITAI VELODROME

The Hataitai Velodrome which currently is an outside venue will undergo a major refurbishment to make it into a modern indoor facility. In 2026 it will host the track cycling. It will have a capacity of 10000 seated. After the games it will be used as the main training hub for the New Zealand cycling team and provide a world class facility for the future generations.

ASB ARENA

The ASB Indoor Arena is located close to the Aquatics Centre and short trip from the city centre. It has a capacity of 2000. In 2026 it will host Judo and wrestling. The arena was built in 2007 and is currently ready for competition and would need no refurbishment.

BERHAMPORE HOCKEY CENTRE

The Hockey Centre is located near Wellington Zoo in the suburb of Berhampore. It is a very popular venue with high usage throughout the year. In 2026 it will host the hockey. It will have a temporary capacity of 5000 seated. After the games it will continue to provide a home for Wellington hockey.

ARO VALLEY TENNIS CENTRE

Four indoor courts, 14 outdoor courts (floodlights for evening games) the Aro Valley Tennis Centre will play host to Tennis in 2026. It is located close to the city centre and transport areas. Its capacity will be a total of 4000 over a number of courts including a 2000 capacity main court.

ST. JAMES THEATRE

St. James Theatre is situated in the heart of Wellington City. It is easily accessible and close to transport hubs. In 2026 it will host Weightlifting. It has a capacity of 3000 seated. After the games it will continue to host major productions and events.

WELLINGTON HARBOUR/CITY

The stunning beauty of Wellington Harbour and City will host the Triathlon in 2026. Up to 5000 people will line the streets to watch the athletes complete in swim, cycle and run. The race will finish at the Wellington War Memorial.

NORTH HARBOUR STADIUM

North Harbour Stadium in Auckland will play host to Football in 2026. The stadium has a capacity of 25000. Auckland is New Zealands biggest city and has a history of hosting major sporting events.

TE RAUPARAHA ARENA

The arena is located in Porirua, north of Wellington. The venue can be reached by train or bus from Wellington City. In 2026 it will host Boxing. It will have a capacity of 3000.

ATHLETE'S VILLAGE

The Athletes Village for the 2026 Commonwealth Games will be situated on a 35 hectare site, in the Newtown area of Wellington. At first the site will be used as accommodation for up to 8000 athletes and officials from all over the Commonwealth, as well as providing a retail area, recreation area, dining hall and medical facilities for the athletes. After the commonwealth games the site will be further developed and have up to 1,400 homes, a portion of which will be available for social rental. Primarily the site will be used as accommodation for the athletes competing in the games as well as team officials from every competing nation for the duration of the games. As well as accommodation the athletes village will also provide an exclusive retail area for the athletes as well as a dining hall and medical facilities. This is to ensure the athletes and officials have a comfortable stay and have everything they need near by.

MEDIA/BROADCAST COMPLEX

The IBC is the hub for all Commonwealth Games broadcasting activity, handling the sporting venues’ incoming television pictures and sound on behalf of the host broadcaster, distributing that footage to international rights holders and managing rights holders’ outgoing transmissions. For Wellington, the centre will pre-build the IBC technical requirements in Australia and air-lift the pre-tested setup to Wellington for installation and technical handover. Rights-holder broadcasters will begin taking possession of their customised areas within the IBC about a month before the Games, with some transmitting live-to-air from the venue in the week ahead of the Opening Ceremony.

Over the 12 days of competition the IBC technical set-up and operation will work faultlessly 24 hours/day, servicing both the host broadcaster and rights holders with studio, play-out and on-air facilities. More than 1,500 broadcast professionals will be based at the IBC.Occupying 8,000 square meters, more than 150 kilometres of cable will be installed into the IBC, which will be manned by 104 technical and 100 building support personnel supplied by Global Television.1361 High Definition hours of competition, ceremonies and highlights will be recorded onto the digital archive, with 899 HDCAM tapes delivered to the Commonwealth Games Federation for the permanent archives.

The Broadcast Complex will be situated at the former TVNZ Avalon Studios, Upper Hutt, making use of existing studios and satellite transmissions at the studios.