The home of performing arts has an abundance of creative spaces suitable for conferences, corporate events, school rehearsals, martial arts and more. The building was designed by Foundation Architecture Studio and opened in 1998, its extensive use of wooden flooring and the very high stud in the atrium add to its special atmosphere, together with the student designed costumes on display in the entrance. Te Whaea is home to the NZ School of Dance and Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School.
Availability
On weekdays spaces can be hired after 6pm during term time, with more weekday availability during the school holidays.
The spaces are also available for hire in the weekends, both in the term time and in the holidays.
Hireage rate
Community rates are available. Please enquire with Te Whaea (contact details are below).
Maximum capacity
Capacity varies across the different spaces.
Description & special conditions
Te Whaea includes: 3 drama studios, all including a mirrored wall and curtains; 5 dance studios (only soft ballet shoes, clean socks, or clean bare feet are allowed in the dance studios, for both the dancers and the audience – no street shoes are allowed). The complex has 5 performance spaces, basement studios, rehearsal spaces, a large meeting room (12 – 20 people) and a small meeting room (6 people). “The Plaza” which is the central atrium at Te Whaea can be hired (440m2) when not in use by the schools. The Plaza is the ideal place for groups to congregate informally, e.g. as part of a conference.
Alcohol
If you would like to serve alcohol at your event, please discuss this with Te Whaea Events staff. If Te Whaea agrees to the terms, the Hirer can apply to Wellington City Council for a Special Licence to serve alcohol. The link to apply to WCC is https://wellington.govt.nz/certificates-and-licences/alcohol-licences/find-the-right-licence-and-apply/special-licence. WCC requires 20 working days to process the application. All costs, including the Special Licence application fee, are payable by the Hirer. N.B. The licence application requires a letter of support from the Venue Operator, please ask your Te Whaea contact to provide a letter.
Facilities
The drama studios have pianos and a whiteboard. The large and small meeting rooms have tables, chairs, and wall-mounted TVs. The large meeting room has a whiteboard.
Te Whaea’s box office and ticketing service can be added to your venue hire to help manage your event ticketing.
There are no kitchen facilities available.
Outdoor area
There are some outdoor areas around the building, and a children’s play area across the road.
Accessibility
Te Whaea is a fully accessible venue, with lifts between the floors, fully accessible toilets, and a low-profile ramp at the entrance.
Parking
There is plenty of parking available below the astroturf football pitch which is named Te Whaea astroturf pitch. The car park is on the western side of Te Whaea.
Cycle parking
There is cycle and motor cycle parking right outside the main entrance.
By bus
The bus service to Te Whaea is very good, particularly the bus routes that travel along Taranaki / Wallace Streets which stop right outside Te Whaea in both directions. The Taranaki / Wallace Street bus routes are – No. 3 (Lyall Bay, Rongotai, or Kilbirnie), No. 27 (Vogeltown), and No. 18e (Miramar/Karori).
There are many routes that travel along Adelaide Road to and from Newtown. For these routes, use the Countdown John Street (Newtown) bus stop and walk a short way up John Street to Te Whaea (Hutchison Road is a continuation of John Street).
Walking
The direct route to Te Whaea is along Wallace Street which is located at its southernmost end. However, this route is not fully footpathed and has some steps. For a more pleasant walk, take either Tasman Street or Wright Street which are parallel to Wallace Street.
Physical address
Te Whaea National Dance and Drama Centre, 11 Hutchison Road, Newtown.
Contact (to book or view the space)
To see photos and information about the many spaces Te Whaea has available to hire, please view the Facilities information page.
To book a venue, please fill in the Hire-a-Space booking form.
For any booking enquiries, please contact Te Whaea Services, on 04 381 9250, or email the team.
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