AusLeisure

Wellington will enjoy a refreshed and reinvigorated arts, events and culture scene as a result of a $127 million investment from the City Council over the next 10 years.

Explaining the investment, Wellington Mayor Justin Lester advises “we need to invest in our creative sector at all levels, from big international events through to grass roots projects.

"That will help us create jobs, bring world-class acts here, and attract and support talent, and will ensure that Wellington remains New Zealand’s creative capital."

$16 million is budgeted in the Council’s draft 10 year plan to deliver the ‘Decade of Culture’, supporting local arts events such as WOW, Visa Wellington On a Plate and the New Zealand Festival and also performing arts venues.

Mayor Lester adds “we want to present a refreshed arts and events programme which will ensure Wellington remains a vibrant and exciting city that attracts visitors and offers a high quality of life for residents.”

Venues will also benefit, with almost $111 million capital investment in strengthening and improvements to the Town Hall, St James Theatre and the home of the Wellington Museum - the Bond Store.

Wellington’s Associate Arts Portfolio Leader Councillor Nicola Young says that the arts, culture and creative sectors are the city’s point of difference, stating “from technology and innovation, through to arts and events, Wellington has the highest percentage of people employed in creative sectors in New Zealand and we hope this investment will keep people here and attract many more to our city.

"We know that Wellington’s vibrant and diverse arts and cultural life is seen as important by our residents, and the Decade of Culture will only add to that."

The draft 10 year plan document will be open for formal public consultation from 15th April.

Image: Event at Wellington's Shed 6.

28th January 2018 - CIRCA THEATRE AND TE PAPA REVEAL POTENTIAL OF MUSEUM SPACE 

7th October 2017 - NEW CHAPTER FOR WELLINGTON’S HANNAH PLAYHOUSE

21st September 2017 - NZ THEATRE MONTH TO ‘CELEBRATE AND ELEVATE’ NEW ZEALAND PERFORMING ARTS

12th September 2017 - WELLINGTON OPERA HOUSE PERFORMANCE ADJUSTS TICKET PRICES TO REFLECT GENDER PAY GAP

2nd September 2017 - VISION FOR NEW WELLINGTON INDOOR ARENA BACKED BY REGIONAL MAYORS

21st November 2016 - SPECTACULAR NEW ART SPACE PLANNED FOR WELLINGTON’S TE PAPA

29th April 2016 - SUMMER EVENTS ATTRACT RECORD VISITOR NUMBERS TO WELLINGTON

13th September 2015 - $1 MILLION BOOST FOR REGIONAL ARTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN WELLINGTON

20th August 2015 - TE PAPA ONE OF LONELY PLANET’S TOP 500 PLACES ON THE PLANET

22nd February 2015 - NEW WELLINGTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY MOVES FORWARD

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.