Widely regarded as the finest work of Joshua Charlesworth—one of Wellington’s leading architects of the early 20th century
The Town Hall showcases Malmsbury bluestone, a beautifully detailed Wunderlich pressed-metal ceiling, encaustic floor tiles, and the superb carved timber of its grand staircase.
Its Auditorium is internationally recognised for remarkable acoustic qualities. It was the recording venue for the Academy Award and Grammy Award-winning soundtrack to The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, and The Hobbit movies The Desolation of Smaug and The Battle of the Five Armies.
The Council remains deeply committed to preserving Wellington’s heritage, with the Town Hall standing as a flagship example of that stewardship.
In 2019, the Wellington City Council took bold action—championing one of the most significant heritage-strengthening projects in the city’s history. Their leadership set in motion the significant work needed to secure the Town Hall’s future, ensuring it can meet modern earthquake-resilience standards while honouring its past. Thanks to that commitment, the Town Hall will reopen in 2027 as a world-class venue, complete with state-of-the-art rehearsal and performance spaces.
With your support, we can continue building history in this already iconic space.
Join the legends who have graced this special hall.
The Beach Boys
The Beatles
The Kinks
The Rolling Stones
Tom Jones
The Who
Small Faces
Paul Jones
Dave Allenby
The Kal Q Lated Risk
John Mayall
Muddy Waters
Lou Reed
Rory Gallagher
The Sweet
Suzi Quatro
Split Enz
Little Feat
America
Canned Heat
John McLaughlin
Dragon
Th’ Dudes
Toy Love
Joan Armatrading
Squeeze
The Boomtown Rats
Mi-Sex
The Police
The Cure
George Thorogood and the Destroyers
Tom Waits
Echo and the Bunnymen
Cold Chisel
Devo
The Clash
The Church
Siouxsie and the Banshees
Joni Mitchell
Uriah Heep
The Fixx
The Fabulous Thunderbirds
Simple Minds
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
New Order
Crowded House
Simply Red
The Pogues
The Robert Cray Band
R.E.M.
Billy Bragg
The Proclaimers
The The
Sinead O’Connor
Ramones
Melissa Etheridge
UB40
Anthrax
Steve Earle
The B-52s
Shihad
Public Enemy
Crowded House
David Byrne
The Black Crowes
Diesel
Living Colour
The Breeders
Helmet
Pantera
The Cult
Slayer
Dinosaur Jr.
The Jesus and Mary Chain
Silverchain
Chris Isaak
Wet Wet Wet
White Zombie
Joe Crocker
Sonic Youth
Foo Fighters
Rage Against The Machine
The Free Spirts
Tool
Ronny Jordan
White Zombie
Fugees
The Offspring
Soundgarden
Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals
Portishead
Matchbox Twenty
Lee “Scratch” Perry
Bic Runga
The Stereo Bus
Weta
Fiona McDonald
Creed
Shihad
Letterbox Lambs
Tim Finn
Dave Dobbyn
Gene Pitney
Neil Finn
Vengaboys
Segression
Powderfinger
Bjorn Again
Hi-5
Fear Factory
Incubus
The White Stripes
Whirlwind Heat
Pretenders
Lyle Lovett
Sarah McLachlan
Good Charlotte
Jack Johnson
Nick Cave
Die! Die! Die!
Kora
Cog
The Roots
P-Money
Steven Curtis Chapman
Simple Minds
10cc
The Datsuns
The Mint Chicks
Luger Boa
Charlie Musselwhite
Rodger Fox Big Band
Joe Lovano
John Scofield
Arctic Monkeys
The Wiggles
Zukerman Chamber Players
The Living End
Airbourne
The Black Seeds
Jarvis Cocker
Roger Hodgson
Wilco
Justin Townes Earle
Shapeshifter
Blonde Redhead
Tasmin Little
Death Cab for Cutie
Bon Iver
Fleet Foxes
Lucinda Williams
Henry Wagons
Mumford & Sons
Michael Houstoun
Village People
Morrissey
Band of Horses
Cat Power
Steve Vai
Wilco