Te Whaea

The New Zealand School of Dance is located in
Te Whaea: National Dance & Drama Centre

Te Whaea

Converted from a show building into a magnificent architecturally-designed performing arts centre, it boasts high, cathedral-like ceilings and an exhilarating atmosphere. It is one of the most impressive performance training facilities in the world.

Te Whaea (pronounced teh fire, meaning 'the mother' in Maori) is located in Newtown on Wellington's green belt nature reserve, five minutes drive from the heart of the city.

The New Zealand School of Dance shares these premises with Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School. The two schools operate independently but collaborate in a number of ways.

Features of Te Whaea: National Dance & Drama Centre include:

  • Five professional dance studios and six drama studios

  • The dance studios have sprung wooden floors with Tarkett covering, full-length mirrors, sound system, pianos and ballet barres

  • Men's and women's changing rooms with showers

  • Te Whaea Theatre (200 seat theatre)

  • The Garage Theatre (100 seat studio theatre)

  • Auahi Kore Drama Studio Theatre (70 seat studio theatre)

  • The SEEyD Space (60 seat studio theatre)

  • Technical production studios and workshops

  • Design studios

  • Costume workshop

  • Lighting laboratory

  • AV studio

  • Computer lab and student wireless internet

  • Seminar space

  • Free parking

  • Large communal Plaza

  • Wellington Fitness Centre Gym

  • The Purple Hatch café, student kitchen and common room

  • Onsite Physiotherapy room

  • Specially equipped Pilates studio

  • The Nola Millar Library - New Zealand's best performing arts library

Te Whaea Plaza

Hiring space at Te Whaea

Studio and theatre spaces are available for external groups to hire when not in use by the schools.

For further information about hiring space at Te Whaea: National Dance & Drama Centre, contact Venue Manager Priscilla Gough, phone +64 4 381 9214.

 

Te Whaea entrance