Otago Polytechnic — The Hub

The Hub is the main multipurpose event space on Otago Polytechnic's Dunedin campus, in the Forth Street precinct near the University of Otago and Logan Park. It is primarily a student and staff space, but is released for external hire and is handled through the Polytechnic's event management team.

The space

The Hub is described by Otago Polytechnic as a large multipurpose space designed for students, staff and events, which schools, departments and external customers can book. Its capacity is approximately 200 people. Internally it is used for pre-graduation functions, open days, student exhibitions, fashion shows and showcases, which indicates a flexible flat-floor room that handles standing receptions, seated presentations and display-based formats.

Because it doubles as a student space during teaching hours, external hire is generally offered out of hours and at weekends. Requests for external use of Otago Polytechnic facilities require approval before the booking is confirmed. The Polytechnic notes there is no hire charge for not-for-profit community focused groups, or for staff development activities involving Polytechnic staff.

Food and beverage

Catering is a genuine strength here, because the Polytechnic runs its own hospitality operation. Catering for events in The Hub is ordered through the OP functions team, staffed by qualified hospitality professionals who work both on campus and off site. The wider campus catering and functions operation includes a modern restaurant opening onto a courtyard and kitchen garden, and a lounge suited to cocktail events, alongside other function spaces that can take varying guest numbers. For an organiser this means catering, room and service can be arranged through a single point of contact.

Suitability

The Hub sits in the mid-size bracket of Dunedin's event market: one large room for up to around 200 people, in-house catering, and a campus location within walking distance of Forsyth Barr Stadium, the university and the Logan Park sports precinct.

It suits conferences and symposia run in a single stream, awards evenings, graduation and pre-graduation functions, exhibitions, product showcases, launches and staff events. Organisers needing multiple simultaneous breakout rooms should discuss what teaching and lecture spaces on the Dunedin campus can be released alongside The Hub, as the Polytechnic operates a range of other function areas. Enquiries and bookings go through the Polytechnic's event management team, which is based at the Sargood Centre on Logan Park Drive. For alternatives, see other Dunedin venues.