HIRE A SPACE
Enquire about our unique spaces below
Within ten minutes of Wellington’s CBD, Te Whaea offers specialist spaces suited to a wide variety of performing arts, conference and corporate events.
Whether you’re looking for a rehearsal and performance space for your theatre, dance or music group, or somewhere with creative appeal for your corporate guests, we’re here to help.
From one-off bookings to regular classes, our spaces are available for hire from Monday to Friday, from 6:00pm until late, and on weekends during school term times. More spaces are available for weekday hire during the school holidays.
With over 200 available car parks and a bus stop right outside on Hutchison Road, Te Whaea is easily accessible and a great location for your next event.
Please complete this form and we’ll respond to your request by the end of the following business day.
The more detail you can tell us about your class, function or event, the better.
This is a request form only and does not guarantee availability or use of the venue.
Any questions? check our FAQs section below.
ENQUIRE NOW
FAQS
Q: If I teach a class at Te Whaea can I charge my attendees?
A: If you are charging attendees a fee, your hourly fee will become a Standard Commercial Rate for hire. Please tell us in advance how many people you expect to attend.
Q: How do I advertise the venue name on the poster?
A: We ask that you advertise our name on your poster only after all paperwork is finalised for your hire. Our contracts outline how to list our venue.
Q: Are you New Zealand School of Dance, or Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School?
A: We are Te Whaea! The official name of the venue is Te Whaea: National Dance and Drama Centre and within the premises we accommodate Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School and the New Zealand School of Dance.
Q: Does Te Whaea offer any classes?
A: Outside school hours, Te Whaea functions as a venue for external hire where different organisations can hold their events. Sign-up is managed independently by these external organisations. Both schools also hold some public classes in school holidays and on evenings and weekends. Visit their websites for details:
Q: Should I hire a dance studio or a drama studio? What is the difference?
A: It’s all about the shoes and the floors! Dance studios are only suitable for clean soft-soled shoes (such as ballet shoes) or bare feet. Drama studios, on the other hand, have wooden floors that are better suited for outdoor or hard-soled shoes (heeled salsa shoes, etc) for activities such as choir practice, orchestra rehearsals, seminars, etc.
Q: Are all of your spaces accessible?
A: Te Whaea is an inclusive and accessible venue. An elevator in the centre of the building reaches basement, ground, and mezzanine levels providing access to our main dance and drama studios. Given the large scale and intricate layout of the building some areas are more difficult to access. Our team is happy to work with you to make sure you can access what you need.
Q: Who do I contact if I want to discuss attending Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School?
A: More information and contact details are on the Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School website.
Q: Who do I contact if I want to discuss attending NZ School of Dance?
A: More information and contact details are on the NZ School of Dance website.
Q: If I hold my event at Te Whaea can I use the Box Office too?
A: Yes! We provides a Box Office/Ticketing service that manages ticketing for your show at an additional hire charge.
Q: Can I secure a regular spot at Te Whaea?
A: Maybe! We currently have lots of groups who hold classes and workshops here every week. Sometimes you may not be able to use the same space – because we are home to two performing arts schools, we must make sure that their needs are met first. Please contact our Venue Coordinators to discuss your needs and we’ll do our best to find you a regular space.
Q: When are spaces available?
A: Spaces are most often available for hire at weekends, during Toi Whakaari or New Zealand School of Dance school holidays, and after 6:00pm during school term evenings. We do not hire out spaces when Toi Whakaari and the New Zealand School of Dance are operating classes.
Q: Do you provide technical equipment for performances?
A: We cannot provide any technical equipment such as lighting/sound desks, cables or theatre lights, as our spaces are hired as a blank canvas for your event or performance. But our team can point you in the right direction should you need advice on where to hire the correct gear and expertise.
Q: Can I hire technical equipment from Toi Whakaari or Te Whaea?
A: No, technical equipment and set and props are not available for hire, however the Venue Team can provide you with a list of specialist hire companies.