Tāwhiri Warehouse

It is available to hire from 2026 for performances, rehearsals, workshops or other creative activities. It looks much better than in the photo above! It's all painted black and is soon to have a nice smooth floor.

What’s the vision for the Warehouse

Tāwhiri has been making improvements to the space over time, towards our dream of converting it into a mid-size, flexible, accessible theatre and rehearsal venue, something the Wellington arts sector has desperately needed for many years.

Once it opens early 2026, we hope it will be regularly used by Wellington arts sector and touring artists for creation, rehearsals, workshops and performances. We plan to use it for our events: Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts and Wellington Jazz Festival.

What’s the space like

This is a warehouse. It looks and feels like one. It’s a big open space with a high roof. Full venue specs are here.

The floor is currently a mix of bitumen and tongue and groove wood. In late 2025 this will be levelled and replaced with hard-wearing black rubber tiling.

Venue information

• Floor dimensions: 38m long x 35m wide
• Height to ceiling : 9m height at centre apex and 6m height at outer walls
• Accessible toilet facilities: 1x accessible toilet backstage and 3x accessible toilets in new toilet block.
• Mezzanine floor with small kitchenette and communal area (fridge, sink, dishwasher), basic production office.
• Air-conditioning/heating
• Trussing and stage hoists
• Rehearsal PA
• Performance PA
• Theatrical drape stock
• Push up drape system
• Wifi
• Power
• Folding tables and chairs
• Free, non-reserved carparking as part of the overall Te Whaea complex.
• Venue/technical/FOH staff can be provided (cost charged to you).

How can I hire it and what does it cost

Email us to enquire. We will get in touch and have a quick chat about what your requirements are.

Hire rates will depend on what you need, the purpose of the hire, and the length of booking.

Priority will be given to users undertaking artistic and creative projects.

What we’re doing next

• Giving the backstage area a spruce up and creating pop-up dressing rooms (complete)
• Interior painting to achieve a theatrical blackout (complete)
• Installing an accessible shower (mid 2025)
• Installing new flooring (late 2025)
• Installing HVAC system (underway)
• Building new toilet facilities for audience use (underway)
• Upgrading the front doors and roller door (late 2025)
• Fundraising for a seating block and lighting system (ongoing)

All timings are subject to change.

The Council, in a separate project, have recently replaced the roof and external wall cladding.

Who has helped us so far

We have received support from Wellington City Council, Lotteries and private donors.

In the original scoping of the Tāwhiri Warehouse we are grateful for the support and expertise of Studio Pacific Architecture, Beca, LT McGuinness, Balanced Investments, Make Strategy Happen and Meg Williams.

What is the history of the space and site?

The area where Tāwhiri Warehouse and the Te Whaea buildings stand were once a part of a great plantation of cultivated gardens that started from Pukeahu and extended north-west to current day Aro Valley and south to current day Newtown.

In the late 1800s/early 1900s, it was used as a rubbish tip.

In 1928 new buildings were erected as a permanent site for the Winter Show, an annual trade show and over time the buildings were also used for concerts, circus, performances. In World War 2 it was temporarily a military training base.

In 1996 the Wellington City Council took over ownership. It is currently independently managed by Te Whaea Services Charitable Trust and sits within an arts complex including Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School, New Zealand School of Dance and Circus Hub.

Prior to Tāwhiri’s use, the space housed Capital Gymnastics, who have since moved to another spot in the complex.

Thanks to Wellington City Council, Studio Pacific Architecture, New Zealand Lottery Grants Board, Make Strategy Happen and George's Truffles.