New Zealand performing arts venues

Built indoor venues specifically for performing arts were created by British settler-colonists to New Zealand soon after settlements were established.

It was a small wooden building with stalls and a gallery, lit by whale oil gas.

[2][3][4] After the Second World War, over 300 memorial halls were built in city suburbs and small towns, using subsidies from central government.

There are also lots of venues owned and maintained by amateur societies (musical theatre and drama) such as Westpoint Performing Arts Centre, Western Springs, Auckland.

[9] The St. James Theatre, built for vaudeville acts originally is closed with a renewed campaign to save it in 2021 that has the backing of Auckland Central MP Chloe Swarbrick.

It was destroyed in the 1931 Hawkes Bay earthquake, but was subsequently rebuilt in 1932 in an Art Deco style, and is a Category 2 listed historic building.

It has hosted many events including screenings of movies, concerts, political rallies and boxing matches.

[29] The bigger venues are the Opera House, St. James Theatre, the Town Hall and the Michael Fowler Centre.

[33] The Court Theatre moved from premises at the Christchurch Arts Centre to The Shed in Addington after the 2011 earthquake.

[37] The Odeon Theatre, Christchurch, a masonry building with a Category 1 heritage listing, opened as the Tuam Street Hall in 1883.

[38] The Oamaru Opera House is a Category 1 listed historic building that opened in 1907, originally as the town hall, but is now an auditorium and performing acts venue.

The Civic Theatre complex presents touring companies and local organisations with an auditorium that can seat approximately 1000 people .