Aotea Centre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aotea Centre |
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View of venue from Aotea Square
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| Location | Auckland CBD |
| Owner | Auckland Council |
| Operator | Auckland Unlimited |
| Built | 1985-89 |
| Inaugurated | 9 September 1990 |
| Renovated | 1998, 2011, 2012 |
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Construction cost
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NZ$128.5 million NZ$15 million (2011 renovations) |
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Classroom-style seating
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376 (Hunua Room) |
| Banquet/ballroom | 580 (Hunua) 300 (Waitakere) 300 (Limelight) 180 (Waihorotiu 1) |
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Theatre seating
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2,139 (Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre) 186 (Herald Theatre) |
| Enclosed space | |
| • Total space | 48,000 square metres (520,000 sq ft) |
| Parking | 928 Spaces (Civic Carpark Located Underground Aotea Square) |
The Aotea Centre is a special place in Auckland CBD, New Zealand. It's a big building where you can enjoy performing arts and exciting events. You'll find it right next to Aotea Square, a popular spot in the city.
This centre is a hub for culture, entertainment, and big meetings. It's managed by Auckland Unlimited. They also look after other famous Auckland venues like the Auckland Town Hall. The name "Aotea" comes from Motu Aotea, which is the Māori name for Great Barrier Island. This island is New Zealand's largest offshore island.
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Discover the Aotea Centre
The Aotea Centre is a key part of Auckland's cultural scene. It hosts many different shows and events. From concerts to plays, there's always something happening here. It's a place where people come together to enjoy arts and entertainment.
Building History and Design
The idea for the Aotea Centre began in 1974. City architect Ewen Wainscott designed it. However, construction didn't start until more than ten years later. The main building work finished in 1989. It cost about NZ$128.5 million to build. The centre officially opened its doors in 1990.
The building even won an award, the NZIA Silver Medal. During construction, some planned features were left out. This was because the costs grew quite a lot.
Improving the Sound
After it opened, the main theatre had some sound issues. To fix this, it got a big upgrade in the mid-1990s. More improvements happened in 2012. These changes made the sound much better. Because of these upgrades, the theatre won an award in 2013. It was named the Best Medium Venue by Entertainment Venues of New Zealand.
What's Inside the Centre?
The Aotea Centre has many different spaces. It has large foyers, which are like grand entrance halls. There are also gallery spaces where art can be displayed. You'll find various function rooms for different events.
Theatres for Every Show
The centre is home to two main theatres:
- The Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre is the largest. It can seat 2,139 people. It was renamed in 2019 after a famous New Zealand opera singer.
- The Herald Theatre is much smaller, with 186 seats. It's often used by smaller, independent theatre groups.
Aotea Square Upgrades
In 2011, Aotea Square itself got a big makeover. As part of this, the public stairs in front of the Aotea Centre were improved. A new cafe space was added under a large veranda. This cafe, called The Terrace Café, opens onto the square. It's a great spot to relax before or after a show.
Art at the Centre
You can see important New Zealand artworks inside the Aotea Centre. These pieces are displayed in the foyers. One famous digital artwork is Ihi, created by Lisa Reihana. It adds to the cultural experience of visiting the centre.
