Know before you go
The practical bit
- Capacity
- Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre: more than 2,000 seats (Auckland Live; Wikipedia gives 2,139). Herald Theatre 186.
- Getting there
- 50 Mayoral Drive. Te Waihorotiu station, open since 13 September 2026: exit via Wellesley Street for a short walk. Queen Street between Rutland and Wellesley is closed to private cars, taxis and Uber.
- Tickets
- Ticketmaster NZ is the exclusive agent (0800 111 999). $8 booking fee online or by phone, none at Auckland Live box offices. Box office Mon to Fri 10:00 to 16:00 and from 90 minutes before a performance.
- Hours
- Foyers are open to the public Monday to Friday 08:30 to 17:30.
- Nearby
- Auckland Town Hall next door, home of the Auckland Philharmonia. The Civic. Aotea Square, with Selwyn Muru's restored Waharoa gateway. Auckland Art Gallery, open daily 10:00 to 17:00.
- Official
- Official site and tickets → (aucklandlive.co.nz)
Checked on 15 October 2026 against the venue's own site. Times, prices and routes change: confirm before you travel.
In the room
The experience
The Aotea Centre opened in 1990 as Auckland's civic performing arts centre, facing Aotea Square on Mayoral Drive. Its main house, the ASB Theatre, became the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre on 20 November 2019 in honour of the New Zealand soprano. Auckland Live puts it at more than 2,000 seats; Wikipedia says 2,139. The Herald Theatre, 186 seats, faces the station side of the building. Auckland Town Hall next door is the Auckland Philharmonia's home, so the Aotea Centre is the city's main theatre house. At the Queen Street entrance to the square stands Selwyn Muru's Waharoa, a macrocarpa gateway from the 1988 commissions, fully restored in June 2026. The city has rearranged itself around the building. Te Waihorotiu station opened a short walk away in September 2026, Britomart is now Waitematā, and Queen Street outside is closed to private cars. Foyers are open weekdays 08:30 to 17:30.
Insider tip
Walk in knowing
Take the train to Te Waihorotiu and leave by the Wellesley Street exit. If you drive, use the Civic car park, which links to Level 1 and has a 2.08 m height limit.
Why it fits
Why it is in the atlas
Renaming for Kiri Te Kanawa is editorial gold. The room itself is solid postmodern craft.
Plan the trip
When to go, hours, getting there
Best time to go
Check the Auckland Live calendar at aucklandlive.co.nz. Foyers open Monday to Friday 08:30 to 17:30 if you want to see the building and the 1988 art collection.
Hours
Box office Mon to Fri 10:00 to 16:00 and from 90 minutes before a performance. Foyers open Mon to Fri 08:30 to 17:30. Tickets: Ticketmaster NZ (0800 111 999), $8 booking fee online or by phone, none at Auckland Live box offices.
Getting there
50 Mayoral Drive, Auckland. Te Waihorotiu station (City Rail Link, opened 13 September 2026): Wellesley Street exit, short walk. From the airport, AirportLink bus (every 10 minutes, 04:30 to 00:40) to Puhinui, then train. Civic car park: underground, 2.08 m limit, plate recognition and the AT Park app, cashless, connects to Level 1. Queen Street between Rutland and Wellesley is closed to private vehicles, including taxis and Uber.
Straight from the source
Official site and tickets
Dates and tickets come from the venue itself. Opens aucklandlive.co.nz in a new tab.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Where is the Aotea Centre?
50 Mayoral Drive, central Auckland, facing Aotea Square, with Auckland Town Hall next door. The Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre is its main house; the Herald Theatre faces the Te Waihorotiu station side.
Where do I park for the Aotea Centre?
In the underground Civic car park, which connects internally to Aotea Centre Level 1. It has a 2.08 m height limit, uses number-plate recognition and the AT Park app, and is cashless. Queen Street between Rutland and Wellesley is closed to private vehicles.
How do I get to the Aotea Centre from Auckland Airport?
Take the AirportLink bus, every 10 minutes from 04:30 to 00:40, to Puhinui Station. Then take a train on the East West or South City line to Te Waihorotiu. Exit via Wellesley Street for a short walk. SkyBus no longer runs in Auckland.
How many seats does the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre have?
More than 2,000, according to Auckland Live; Wikipedia gives 2,139. The Herald Theatre in the same building has 186 seats.
Which station is closest to the Aotea Centre?
Te Waihorotiu, the City Rail Link station that opened on 13 September 2026. Leave by the Wellesley Street exit for a short walk to the Aotea Centre, the Civic and the Town Hall. The former Britomart is now called Waitematā.
When was the ASB Theatre renamed the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre?
On 20 November 2019, in honour of the New Zealand soprano Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.
Why is the Aotea Centre in the Sonic Paths atlas?
Renaming the main house for Kiri Te Kanawa is editorial gold, and the room itself is solid postmodern craft on the city's civic square.
Stay
Book somewhere to stay nearby
Find a bed close to Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre (Aotea Centre) in Auckland through our accommodation partner, Stay22.
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