The rooms in New Zealand
Christchurch Town Hall
Warren & Mahoney's 1972 modernist masterwork, restored NZ$167m and reopened 2019 after the 2011 earthquake. 2,494-seat in-the-round oval.
Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre (Aotea Centre)
Auckland's 1990 civic performing arts centre on Aotea Square at 50 Mayoral Drive. The Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, renamed in November 2019, seats more than 2,000; the Herald Theatre 186.
Michael Fowler Centre
Warren and Mahoney's 1983 concert hall on Wellington's Civic Square, home of the NZ Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra Wellington. 2,209 seats over two levels at 111 Wakefield Street.
Splore Festival
Three-day boutique festival in February on Tāpapakanga Regional Park, a Hauraki Gulf beach 75 km east of Auckland. 8,000 attendees under ancient pōhutukawa trees.
Te Marae o Rongomaraeroa (Te Papa)
Cliff Whiting's contemporary national marae inside Te Papa Tongarewa, the Museum of New Zealand. A wharenui that belongs to all iwi rather than one.
WOMAD Aotearoa (Bowl of Brooklands)
Three-day world-music festival every March at the Bowl of Brooklands, a natural amphitheatre carved into native bush in Pukekura Park.
Planning a trip
Hearing music in New Zealand
Each hall has its own character. Christchurch Town Hall is a 2,494-seat oval restored after the 2011 earthquake, Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington is a concrete drum seating 2,209 and home to the NZ Symphony Orchestra, and Auckland's Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre seats 2,139. Te Marae at Te Papa is the place for waiata and kapa haka: follow the kaitiaki's lead and approach respectfully. Splore is programmed in partnership with local iwi.
The year has a rhythm. Splore runs for three days in mid-to-late February, the same month as the Christchurch International Music Festival. WOMAD Aotearoa fills three days in mid-March, Wellington Jazz Festival comes in June and Matariki programming at Te Papa runs through June and July. Te Matatini visits the Aotea Centre every two years. Free kapa haka at Te Papa is on Sundays at 14:00. Avoid the December summer break at Michael Fowler Centre.
The halls are easy on foot or by bus: Christchurch Town Hall is ten minutes east of Cathedral Square, Michael Fowler Centre is on Civic Square at 111 Wakefield Street, about 1 km from Wellington Railway Station, and Aotea Centre is a short walk from Te Waihorotiu station on the City Rail Link, open since 13 September 2026, via the Wellesley Street exit. For WOMAD, fly to New Plymouth (NPL). Splore is a 90-minute drive from Auckland, reaching Orere Point by SH1 and SH2, followed by 5 km of gravel, and festival shuttles leave Auckland CBD on opening day.
FAQ
Questions people ask
When is WOMAD Aotearoa held?
WOMAD Aotearoa takes place over three days in mid-March, in the Bowl of Brooklands at Pukekura Park, New Plymouth. Gates open at 12:00 each day and music runs to 23:00. The Bowl looks best, and is most photographed, at sunset.
Can you see kapa haka at Te Papa in Wellington?
Yes. Free public kapa haka performances take place on Sunday afternoons, typically at 14:00, at Te Marae o Rongomaraeroa inside Te Papa. Visitors are asked to approach respectfully and follow the kaitiaki's lead.
How do you get to the Splore Festival from Auckland?
From Auckland, drive about 90 minutes south-east, taking SH1 and SH2 as far as Orere Point, then follow a gravel road for 5 km to Tāpapakanga. Shuttles leave Auckland CBD on opening day, and camping is on site.