Auckland’s cultural landmark, the Aotea Centre has been transformed following a $67.5 million, four-year refurbishment.
One of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s most versatile performance, event and convention venues in the heart of the city’s theatre district, the refurbishment has been the first major revamp for the centre since it opened in 1990 and a key part of Auckland Council’s 10-year $133 million midtown regeneration program.
Auckland Mayor, Phil Goff said the refurbished Aotea Centre will attract visitors from Auckland, New Zealand and, once the borders reopen, around the world.
“Auckland’s midtown is already a significant cultural precinct, home to the Auckland Town Hall, The Civic, Aotea Square and Auckland Art Gallery,” he said.
“The refurbishment of this premier venue in the heart of our city will add to the area’s vibrancy once the new City Rail Link Aotea Station is complete, and bring tens of thousands of people to the area daily.”
Auckland Unlimited chief executive, Nick Hill said the centre refurbishment has resulted in a modern, vibrant and versatile venue that can cater for a wide variety of events and experiences.
“This iconic building has a legacy of hosting world-class shows, conventions and events in Auckland for more than three decades.
“With this redevelopment, we can proudly place Aotea – Te Pokapū Aotea Centre on the global stage, along with the very best Aotearoa has to offer.”
According to programme director Matt Wheeler, delivering a beautiful, fit-for-purpose building for the people of Tāmaki Makaurau was an extremely rewarding for the project team.
“Aotea – Te Pokapū Aotea Centre is such an important landmark. Some of the world’s greatest artists have performed on its stage, including our very own Dame Kiri Te Kanawa,” Mr Wheeler said.
“The team felt a huge responsibility to ensure this amazing performing arts venue could continue to be a fitting backdrop for the once-in-a-lifetime live experiences that take place there.”
The centre’s exterior has undergone essential waterproofing and aesthetic upgrades, with new roofing and cladding, a curtain wall and skylight in the main atrium and an upgraded smoke extraction system.
A key feature is the modernisation of the large balcony on the centre’s top level. Additional strengthening and installation of an almost-frameless glass balustrade means visitors can now enjoy extensive views of Aotea Square, while a distinctive fascia ribbon creates a sense of movement and dance along the facade.
Refreshed interior spaces Inviting floor-to-ceiling glass welcomes visitors into the striking multi-level atrium, creating a light-filled, versatile space. New lighting, floor and wall treatments create a vibrant ambience, with award-winning bilingual wayfinding on all levels.
The refreshed convention wing complements the 2000-seat Kiri Te Kanawa theatre, and the upgraded foyers provides enhanced exhibition space.
Refreshed bars and bathrooms, a new box office and new balustrades, and feature lighting complete the internal upgrade, with a modern look that also brings all aspects of the centre up to code compliance.
Enhanced accessibility has been an important goal during the refurbishment and includes Braille signage and lighting in the centre of handrails, automatic opening doors to all entrances from Aotea Square and the Civic car park, reconfigured internal ramps for easier access, accessible counters at the bars, box office and cloak room, upgraded hearing loops within the main foyer and convention spaces, and upgrading all the accessible toilets.
A digital art installation celebrating Te Ao Māori by renowned Aotearoa multi-disciplinary artist Lisa Reihana features in the centre’s refreshed foyers.
Mike Parker-Brown is a UK-trained and qualified journalist and an award-winning travel communicator with more than 30 years experience.
Since 2002, Mike has worked as a freelance writer and PR consultant providing his services to major organisations in Australia and internationally in the tourism, aviation, hospitality, recruitment and export marketing sectors.
