The restoration and earthquake-strengthening of Te Whare Whakarauika Wellington Town Hall heritage building has reached a huge milestone, with construction work now officially finished.
The front-of-house annex construction will be completed in September, with the venue officially opening on 20 February 2027 when Wellington R&B band Drax Project will headline.
“The Town Hall is now restored to 100% of the new building standard. It has been returned to its early 1900s glory with many original features revived using the same techniques and materials, while offering 21st century facilities and world leading acoustics,” says Wellington City Council’s Chief Operating Officer James Roberts.
Council’s Te Ngākau Project Director, Paul Perniskie says the re-opening of the Town Hall is another step in the revitalisation of Te Ngākau.
“When the Town Hall opens in February next year, Te Ngākau Precinct will again be the heart of the city following the re-opening of Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui Central Library and City Gallery Te Whare Toi,” he said.
The Town Hall is set to be a world-class musical and recording venue with improved rehearsal and performance space. It will be a base for civic and community events and the home of a new National Music Centre – a collaboration between Wellington City Council, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington’s New Zealand School of Music—Te Kōkī.
