Wellington
Wellywood’s cinema mother ship is an art-deco darling, built in the 1920s. Today she screens mainly mainstream films with state-of-the-art sound and…
Must-see entertainment in New Zealand
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Rotorua
Modestly proclaiming itself one of the 10 best experiences in the world, Tamaki offers a 3½-hour twilight Māori cultural experience in its recreated…
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Queenstown & Wanaka
This is what a cinema should be like: wide, ultra-comfortable seating with fine local wine, cheese boards and olives available to accompany the mostly art…
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Christchurch
This century-old dear survived the quakes and emerged restored to full glory in 2014. Its heritage features are enjoyed by patrons venturing inside for…
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Napier
A vision in purple, this boutique 45-seat cinema screens art-house flicks in a sumptuous lounge, with ready access to pizza and dumpling snacks from a…
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Auckland
Exciting and educational kids' shows are performed at this innovative theatre in Henderson – expect extreme fun and irreverence – and the whole shebang…
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Wanaka
How very Wānaka that an art-house cinema should adjoin an indoor climbing wall. Channelling a lush New York or Shanghai vibe, Ruby's has a whiff of cinema…
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Rotorua
This family-run outfit offers a popular three-hour evening event with a concert, hāngi and glowworm bush walk. The experience starts with the arrival of a…
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Christchurch
Adjacent to the Brewery in Woolston, Blue Smoke is Christchurch's best small live-music venue. There's often a folk, roots music or Americana vibe to the…
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Te Anau
In between regular showings of the excellent Ata Whenua/Fiordland on Film (adult/child $12/6), essentially a 32-minute advertisement for Fiordland scenery…
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Dunedin & Otago
First opened in 1907 and now beautifully restored to its original glory, Ōamaru's opera house hosts a variety of shows, including music, dance, theatre…
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Taranaki & Whanganui
When Stratford's fine old picture house opened on the last day of 1917, movies were still silent, King George V was on the throne back in London and New…
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Taranaki & Whanganui
This restored 1920s theatre, run by volunteers, has been redeemed as Opunake's cutural beacon, with couches downstairs and regular movie theatre seats…
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Wanaka
Sprawl on a comfy couch, or recline in a dentist's chair or an old Morris Minor at this Wānaka institution, screening the best Hollywood and art-house…
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Wellington
Truly the cat’s pyjamas, Meow goes out on a limb to host a diverse range of gigs and performances: country, ragtime, DJs, acoustic rock, jazz, poetry… At…
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Christchurch
Christchurch's original Court Theatre was an integral part of the city's Arts Centre, but it was forced to relocate to this warehouse after the…
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Queenstown
The faux-Tudor motel architecture might have you expecting lutes and folk ballads, but the Sherwood is Queenstown's go-to spot for visiting musos. Many of…
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Wellington
The city's major concert hall stages regular performances by the NZ Symphony Orchestra (www.nzso.co.nz), Orchestra Wellington (www.orchestrawellington.co…
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Napier
Not only the city’s largest venue for the likes of rock concerts, dance and drama (1000 seats), but also one of the world’s few working art-deco theatres…
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Rotorua
The Novotel's 2½-hour Māori cultural experience includes a performance of traditional song and dance followed by a hāngi. It's held in a separate building…
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Wellington
Tucked away near the top end of Cuba St, this small, stylish cinema throws a range of mainstream, art-house and foreign films up onto the screens in three…
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Wellington
This grand old heritage theatre hosts big-ticket productions such as the Royal NZ Ballet (www.rnzb.org.nz) and NZ Opera (www.nzopera.com), plus the odd…
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Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd
New Zealand's best indie bands, emerging overseas acts, drum-and-bass DJs and the occasional burlesque show all feature at this versatile upstairs venue…
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Nelson
Built in 1878, this charmingly restored heritage theatre hosts a full roster of local and touring drama, dance and musical productions. Check the website…
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City Centre & Britomart
This elegant Edwardian venue (1911) hosts the NZ Symphony Orchestra (www.nzso.co.nz) and Auckland Philharmonia (www.apo.co.nz), among others. Also used…
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Wellington
This much-loved, midsize music venue wheels out craft beer and smoky, meaty food to go along with the rock. Dancing is near mandatory, and the balcony…
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Viaduct Harbour & Wynyard Quarter
The ASB Waterfront Theatre is used by the Auckland Theatre Company and also for occasional one-off shows and concerts. A good selection of bars and…
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Christchurch
A hip combination of live-music venue and bar, Darkroom has lots of Kiwi beers and great cocktails. Live gigs are frequent – and frequently free.
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City Centre & Britomart
Stand-up performances most nights, with legendary late-night shows during the annual Comedy Festival.
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Christchurch
This delightful two-screen art-house cinema can be found within the long-standing and excellent Alice In Videoland DVD library.
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City Centre & Britomart
Theatre by various companies and intimate live music. Silo Theatre (www.silotheatre.co.nz) often performs here.
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Bay of Islands
Hollywood new releases and art-house flicks in an historic 1930s weatherboard building.
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Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd
Small, but a stalwart on the live indie-music scene nonetheless.
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Dunedin
Constructed for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, this is the only major stadium in NZ with a fully covered roof, and it holds 30,000 spectators. It's the home…
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Christchurch
After Lancaster Park was irreparably damaged during the 2011 earthquake, Canterbury Rugby Union shifted its home games to this smaller ground in Addington…
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Dunedin & Otago
Tucked down an atmospheric alley off a 19th-century street, the Penguin’s unusual location matches its acts: everything from touring Kiwi bands to punky…
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Dunedin
The world’s southernmost professional theatre company has been staging dramas, comedies, pantomimes, classics and contemporary NZ productions for over 40…
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Napier
This legendary live-music room started in 1958 then died in 1997. But thanks to some forward-thinking rock fans, it’s risen from the grave to save the day…
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Taupo
Hosts performances, exhibitions and conventions. Ask at the Taupo i-SITE for the current program. Look for the intricate red waharoa (entranceway) carved…
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Dunedin
Dunedin’s premier live-music venue draws an eclectic mix of genres from noisy-as-hell punk to chilled reggae and gritty dubstep. It’s the venue of choice…
