New Zealand House finds a home in Culver City for LA28 Olympic Games

Culver City will play host to a New Zealand House and Precinct which plans to be a fan-focussed and unmistakably Kiwi home for athletes, whānau, fans and the local community. 

Centred around unique Culver City Town Plaza and The Culver Steps, the precinct aims to host a public fanzone, with live cultural experiences, all showcasing New Zealand’s creativity, innovation and hospitality. 

The experience will be grounded in manaakitanga and feature the New Zealand Team’s famous hospitality and care, as displayed in the success of New Zealand House at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games where over 20,000 visitors converged. 

Culver City’s central location will place the New Zealand Team within minutes of major Games venues and hubs, with quick access to Metro lines and freeways, making it easy for athletes, whānau, media and supporters to gather and celebrate.  

The city’s position ‘in the middle of it all’ and its proximity to film studios, creative campuses and key LA28 sites make it an ideal home for New Zealand’s presence at the Games. 

At the heart of the fanzone are large outdoor screens that will broadcast the Olympic Games while a performance stage will host athlete appearances, and community acts, inviting Kiwis and Angelenos alike to be part of the NZ Team’s LA28 story. 

Beyond the fanzone, it is hoped the Precinct will also feature a unique New Zealand story, showcasing technology, innovation, arts and culture while inviting visitors to ‘experience New Zealand’. This is a great platform to share our unique bicultural nature, with kapa haka, waiata, poi dance and expressions of Te Ao Māori woven throughout the interactive Precinct. 

CEO & Secretary General of the New Zealand Olympic Committee, Nicki Nicol, said her whole organisation is proud and excited to have Culver City locked in. 

“To call Culver City our ‘home away from home’ during the LA 2028 Olympic Games is special. This partnership brings together two communities grounded in diversity, creativity and culture,” said Nicol. 

“Culver City is a natural fit for us - the city mirrors so much of what we stand for as the New Zealand Team and as a nation. It’s a privilege to find a host like Culver City and we’re looking forward to working with them to bring this innovative concept to life over the coming years.” 

“Over 20,000 people experienced the warmth and spirit of our team at our New Zealand House in Paris. The response to our Māori culture was well received and we’re committed to bringing that same sense of pride, connection and hospitality to Culver City at LA28.” 

“We would also like to thank Culver City’s leadership and community in helping shape the entire concept, including a willingness for local schools and community groups to be involved. We’re also proud to say the LA28 Organising Committee has applauded our vision and is supportive of our Culver City plans,” she said. 

Mayor of Culver City, Dan O'Brien, said the city is ready to welcome the New Zealand Team with open arms.  

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to partner with one of the world’s most celebrated Olympic nations - a country that brings unmatched energy, charm and global appeal,” O’Brien said. 

“In Olympic circles, New Zealand is legendary for its hospitality, consistently delivering one of the most dynamic and welcoming national houses, regardless of their size. As I said during the recent council meeting: ‘New Zealand has the gravitational pull of the sun.’ 

“The enthusiasm from the Kiwi side is palpable. This announcement is not a casual endeavour, it’s the product of a year of coordination, trust-building and shared ambition. We look forward to welcoming the world to our city and to being inspired by the spirit and mana of Aotearoa.” 

Sport NZ Head of Sport Diplomacy, Peter Miskimmin, said the NZ House and Precinct in Culver City provides a chance to explore opportunities related to the newly released Sport Diplomacy Strategy. 

“Sport Diplomacy aims to harness the power of New Zealand’s athletes, teams, events and leaders to advance international relationships, grow export, tourism and education opportunities and showcase our culture to the world. 

“We have used previous Olympic and Commonwealth Games to enhance NZ Inc outcomes for Government agencies, and now that we have the Sport Diplomacy Strategy in place, we are excited to work with the NZOC to explore the opportunities that LA28 and the Culver City precinct may offer.” 

Culver City is renowned for its diversity and cultural energy and has a community where more than 70 languages are spoken, making it a perfect fit for a precinct that is open, inclusive and globally minded.  

The New Zealand Team looks forward to competing with pride and contributing to the city’s unique rhythm during the LA28 Olympics.  

New Zealand House & Precinct in Culver City – key details 

Location: Culver City Town Plaza & The Culver Steps, with the Culver Hotel as operational base. 

Public Fanzone: Large outdoor screens carrying the Games broadcast; free and open to the public. 

Cultural Programme: Māori rōpu with kapa haka and performances alongside community groups showcasing the diversity of Culver City. 

Showcase Zones: Platform to showcase tourism and NZ storytelling; economic opportunities; tech and innovation; arts and culture.