Te Whaea

In 1997, Wellington City Council leased the deteriorating building to the national drama school Toi Whakaari and the New Zealand School of Dance, which had both been looking for new space.

[1] The council also guaranteed a loan of $1 million to the dance and drama schools to renovate the building.

[4] The two schools came together at the renovated Winter Show Building as a national performing arts centre, named Te Whaea, which opened for classes after a dawn ceremony on 28 April 1998.

[5] Refurbishment of the building included nine large and four small studios, a 200-seat theatre, a library, and areas for set construction, sound, lighting and costume.

[1] It is the venue for a number of reoccurring events including national dance training for all ages[7] and the ETNZ conference every two years.