The Aotea Centre is a large, modern 5-storey building located in Aotea Square in Auckland's CBD. It is home to the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, one of New Zealand's largest auditoriums, and the Herald Theatre. Inside the Aotea Centre there are also multiple function rooms and spaces and The Terrace café.
The Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre is inside the main building. The Herald Theatre is to the right of the Centre — you can access by going around the right hand side of the building from Aotea Square, or take Mayoral Drive.
The main entrance to the Aotea Centre is from Aotea Square, up a set of stairs, which will take you to Level 3.
There are 14 steps with a landing on the 3rd and 7th step. There is handrail to the left, centre and right of the stairs. The left handrail provides the best guidance, although there is a small opening on the second landing between the 2 handrails. (Please note that there is a larger break on the centre and righthand handrail on the 2nd landing,).
On Level 3 you will find the Box Office to the right of the main entrance doors. You can also access the Circle Seats from this level via a set of stairs.
Closest bus stops are on Queen St, located outside The Auckland Town Hall main entrance, and opposite The Civic on Queen St.
Visit Auckland Transport or download the AT app to see what public transport options are available.
Parking
Auckland Transport manages the carparks close to our venues, such as Civic carpark.
If you are driving in to see a show, please come early, and consider using alternative car park options in the central city. The Civic Carpark can fill up very quickly on show nights.
We recommend downloading the AT Park app to avoid queues at the payment machines.
Taxi Rank & Drop Off
Taxis can drop off in the Auckland Council carpark next to The Civic car park entrance off Mayoral Drive. There is also a taxi stand on Queen Street opposite The Civic (theatre)
The best drop off area for the Kiri Te Kanawa theatre are Level 1 of the Civic Car Park (internal access) or the bottom of Myers Street (with access to the corner of Aotea Square with level entry to the Aotea Centre- note that Myers Street is steep).
Road closures
Auckland Transport is upgrading the bus stop facilities outside The Civic on Wellesley St from Queen St to Albert St and the road is closed to private motor vehicles including taxis and ride-share vehicles such as Uber from 7.00am to 7.00pm 7 days a week.
Auckland Transport has turned the section of Queen St both ways between Rutland and Wellesley Streets into an Essential Vehicle Area (EVA) and it is permanently closed to all private motor vehicles including taxis and ride-share vehicles such as Uber - view map
Venue accessibility
Step-free access
There is ramp access from Aotea Square to the left of the building, which will take you to a mezzanine floor with ramp access to Level 3.
Step-free access to Level 2 is available from the corner of Aotea Square accessed via a curb cut at the bottom of Myers Street.
There is also access to the Aotea Centre from Level 1 of the Civic Carpark (Civic Stairs corner) through a set of automatic doors labelled “Aotea Centre”. This will take you to Level 1 of the Aotea Centre, from where you can take the lift to all floors.
The Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre has 3 levels- Stalls, Circle and Balcony- which are all accessible via lifts.
The lifts are located in the left-hand side of the building.
The Stalls and Balcony have step-free access.
Wheelchair accessible seating is available at the rear of the Stalls and the Balcony.
There are accessible toilets on all floors of the Aotea Centre.
Hearing Loop
All stalls and circle seats are equipped with hearing loops, which are available for all shows. To connect to the hearing loop, switch your hearing aids to ‘tele’.
You can contact Ticketmaster at 09 970 9700 for advice on the best seats to use it in. Or during the Auckland Arts Festival you can contact the Accessibility Programme coordinator on access@aaf.co.nz or 022 1239 759.
Service dogs are welcomed
There is a grassed area nearby on the Aotea Square grass terraces.
Staff can provide water for Service dogs on request.
Mobility Carparks nearby
The Civic Car Park is nearby (under Aotea Square) and there is vehicle entry to the carpark from Greys Avenue or Mayoral Drive.
There is access to the Aotea Centre from Level One of the Civic Carpark (Civic Stairs corner) through a set of automatic doors labelled “Aotea Centre”. This will take you to the 1st floor of the Aotea Centre, from where you can take the lift to all floors.
There are 20 mobility parking spots available, with locations as below:
Level 1 opposite Aotea Centre entry doors (next to the yellow booth) 4x spaces, numbers 207 - 210
Level 1 Town Hall corner 1x large space, number 271
Level 1 Sky Metro corner 5x spaces, numbers 9-13
Level 2 Town Hall corner 2x spaces
Level 3 Town Hall corner 3x spaces
During standard hours, the first 2 hours of mobility parking are free with usual rates applied afterwards. After 6pm and on weekends, mobility parking is free. Take your mobility card and entry ticket to a pay machine, and press the help button.
Mobility equipment available at the venue
There are two courtesy wheelchairs available at the venue if you or someone you’re coming with has mobility needs. You can book one of these by calling Ticketmaster at 0800 111 999.
Other accessibility information
Patrons with access requirements For every show, you can call Ticketmaster on 09 970 9745 any time before 5pm on the day of the show and they will make sure the front of house team is aware of your requirements.
