At the April 28, 2025 meeting, the City Council discussed sponsorship of a New Zealand Hospitality House and Fan Zone during the 2028 Olympics in Town Plaza. The event is planning to include a New Zealand themed Fan Zone throughout Town Plaza, including The Culver Steps, for the 19-day duration of the Olympics.
Tim Dodd, a local business owner, spoke from the podium, saying “I’m a proud dual citizen … [this Hospitality House is about] creating spaces where everyone feels welcomed and respected, and that’s what we want to [co-create] with the city of Culver City.”
Within Town Plaza, one of New Zealand’s ideas is to construct a series of pavilions along the walkways where displays or activities relating to New Zealand culture, tourism and trade, could showcase New Zealand to the wider community. Blending New Zealand’s culture with Culver City, other ideas include a possible New Zealand Film Festival at the Culver Theater or music concerts, blending sport and arts together during the Olympic Games. New Zealand’s intent, which is still in the early conceptual stage, is that food and beverages will be provided by the existing local vendors and businesses.
It has also proposed community activation, outreach and events to take place over the next four years, including partnering with schools and other local organizations. The country’s delegation is seeking to secure exclusive use of the Culver Hotel during this period for their partners’ accommodation, meetings, event, and media space.
Nikki Nichol, the President of the New Zealand Committee and Sharon Consol, the committee’s commercial director, also spoke to the city council, noting that they were drawn to Culver City as “a progressive city…with a lot of diversity,” noting that these were values that stood out.
Staff estimates that hosting New Zealand’s hospitality house would result in a cost to the City’s General Fund of $527,763. The estimated cost breakdown is available in the staff report.
While the City Council did not vote on approving the City sponsorship, it approved directing staff to begin work along with the City Council Olympic subcommittee and New Zealand’s team to draft a Memorandum of Understanding related to the event, which would return to a future City Council meeting for approval.
The City Council also requested that staff look to provide activation and space for other countries that may be interested in using Culver City as a homebase for the Olympics.
The Hospitality House and Fan Zone would be open and free to the public.