Tatum Pavilion is located within Tatum Park, a historic homestead just north of the Wellington region. Once the vibrant and glamorous home of Lord and Lady Tatum, and later host to the Scout Association of New Zealand, the property has been used as a wedding and function venue since the early 2010s. Completed in 2024, the recent redevelopment by Wayne Bishop Group has restored the original property and added new buildings including the Pavilion, resulting in a stunning multipurpose event venue comprising function spaces, dining and accommodation.
Belgotex New Zealand worked closely with Wayne Bishop Group and Total Flooring Solutions to select a product that would meet the physical demands of the Pavilion as well as creating a heritage-inspired aesthetic aligned with the design of the original 1913 homestead. Laminate was originally considered for the project, however, when Belgotex New Zealand launched its new range of European Hardened Timber, it became clear that BJELIN's Woodura range would be a much better fit — both aesthetically and practically.
As the pavilion was designed to host weddings and large-scale events, high wear, impact, and dent resistance were top priorities to ensure the floor could withstand a future filled with stiletto heels and spirited dance moves. Many heavy-duty flooring options, however, aren’t ideal for dance floors due to their acoustics and underfoot feel. BJELIN Woodura 3.0 not only delivered with its excellent Impact Class EC3 and Class 33 Heavy Duty Commercial rating but also offered the advantage of being glued down rather than floated — enhancing both sound performance and stability.
Honouring the historic characteristics of the original homestead was key to creating a cohesive flow between the old and new spaces. With its top layer being made from timber sourced sustainably from European forests, BJELIN Woodura 3.0 was able to bring the warmth of real wood to the pavilion, echoing the qualities of the original homestead. Natural Oak was chosen in a semi-rustic Nature grade, highlighting the inherent beauty of the wood, with each board featuring unique knots and grain for an authentic, character-rich finish throughout.
The Pavilion’s size posed another challenge. Designed as a single 425m² room capable of hosting up to 200 guests, the team wanted to preserve the openness of the space by avoiding any kind of divider in the flooring, to allow maximum flexibility in how the room is laid out. The excellent dimensional stability of BJELIN Woodura 3.0 meant that the floor was able to be installed without the use of transition bars. The 5G locking system enabled a fast and efficient install across a large space, with the installer being pleasantly surprised at how smoothly the process went — particularly for a new-to-market product.
The result is a beautifully open and cohesive space that blends heritage charm with modern performance. With BJELIN Woodura 3.0, the Tatum Pavilion not only achieved a sense of warmth and authenticity, but also delivered an exceptionally durable, high-performing timber floor fit for events of every scale. It’s a testament to how thoughtful product selection can elevate both form and function, ensuring the Pavilion at Tatum is ready to host memorable moments for years to come.
“With a place like this, with so much history, it feels more like you’re a custodian than an owner - and you’re preserving that for future generations,” said owner Wayne Bishop.
Learn more about the project in this Eboss article
