Aotea Centre, Auckland

The Aotea Centre is Auckland’s chief performance space for music, dance and theatre events. In fact, it is the largest cultural centre in New Zealand. The centre was opened in 1990 with a gala performance by one of New Zealand’s most famous performers, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. It features hi-tech theatrical and architectural design to ensure a world class cultural experience whenever you visit. Within the centre there is the ASB Auditorium, which seats more than 2200 people; the Herald Theatre and a range of bars and meeting spaces.

The centre is built to complement Aotea Square, where it stands, and to create a cultural precinct along the square to City Hall nearby. The acclaimed design of the Aotea Centre was made by local architect Ewen Wainscott in 1974, but it took until the 1980s to get the funding underway to begin construction. Even if you are not visiting the centre to watch a scheduled performance, wandering through is a great experience in order to take in much of the art works that were commissioned by the centre in 1988. Past performers at the Aotea Centre include: Celine Dion, Shirley Bassey, Michael Buble and Alicia Keys.