Announcement from the Theatre Manager
I am pleased to announce that the Waikato Regional Theatre has partnered with Live Nation, the world’s largest live entertainment company.
The freshly minted agreement between the Waikato Regional Property Trust (‘the Trust’) and Live Nation will see the international enterprise operate the new Theatre on the Trust’s behalf, bringing global entertainment to our city while ensuring the venue is available for community and local events.
Live Nation’s investment in the Waikato demonstrates confidence in the region’s bright future, from both an economic and cultural standpoint, and marks a transformative moment for Kirikiriroa as a entertainment destination, elevating Hamilton’s profile, while staying true to our community’s values.
The Trust, a charitable entity led by a board of dedicated locals, was established to own and sustain the Waikato Regional Theatre as a community asset. The terms of our partnership with Live Nation fulfil the very purpose of the Trust’s existence, and provides certainty for all our users, audiences and funders.
Our ‘Share the Stage’ objectives have been realised through commitments that will provide consistent accessibility for community and education groups to this world-class facility, bridging the gap between local needs and global standards.
Eligible organisations and institutions will enjoy discounts off commercial rates, and community hire will include use of the Theatre’s cutting-edge in-house equipment, significantly reducing costs while elevating the production values of community events. Plus, for every ticket sold, 30 cents will go into a dedicated fund to further subsidise community use.
Live Nation’s operational management of the Theatre will bring top international and New Zealand acts to Kirikiriroa, while creating opportunities for local talent to thrive, allowing the Trust to focus on the responsible investment and development needed to preserve this taonga for future generations.
The Theatre will immediately create direct employment opportunities and spur economic growth in Kirikiriroa’s hospitality and accommodation sectors. Live Nation’s successful operation of venues like Spark Arena and The Tuning Fork in Auckland and San Fran Bathhouse in Wellington ensures our Theatre benefits from world-class management practices, New Zealand-based staff who understand the local market and culture, and an established and growing national touring circuit.
Expect a mix of family entertainment, comedy, music, cultural events, and more, catering to a wide range of audiences. The Theatre will provide an array of opportunities to see international and local artists and be a huge night-time addition to the region’s tourism offering, cementing Waikato’s place on the map as one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing regions.
It is hard to overstate just how exciting this is!
This partnership is a testament to what can be achieved when we balance ambition with community focus. The Theatre will not only enrich the cultural fabric of Hamilton, but also provide a sustainable and accessible resource for decades ahead - I am very proud of what the Trust has accomplished here.
On behalf of the Trust, I want to take this moment to acknowledge all of our supporters, sponsors, donors and those eagerly awaiting a new era of cultural excitement in the Waikato.
In particular, I want to thank Hamilton City Council, the mana whenua hapu, Trust Waikato, APL-Profile Group and Fosters Group for making this all possible.
The Waikato Regional Theatre is all about bringing the world to the Waikato and taking the Waikato to the world — all while staying firmly rooted in what makes our community special.
Thank you to all for your support. If you have any questions, you can email me at gus.sharp@waikatoregionaltheatre.nz.
Momentum applauds operational partnership for new Theatre
Momentum Waikato applauds today’s announcement that global entertainment company Live Nation will operate the new Waikato Regional Theatre after it opens.
The Waikato Regional Property Trust, the Theatre’s owner, has agreed a partnership with Live Nation that will bring shows from across the world to Hamilton, while guaranteeing local community access to the state-of-the-art venue.
The Waikato Regional Theatre project was initiated in 2016 by Momentum Waikato, the region’s community foundation, in response to the challenge the Hamilton City Council faced after Founders Theatre was condemned.
The Waikato Regional Property Trust was set up by Momentum in 2018 as a dedicated independent entity to own and operate the planned new Theatre. Momentum continues to fundraise so the Theatre can open debt free, though it has not been involved in the Trust’s negotiations with Live Nation.
Janice Lapwood, Momentum Waikato’s General Manager - Endowments, leads the Theatre’s fundraising effort.
“On behalf of myself and Momentum Waikato, I congratulate the Waikato Regional Property Trust for forming their partnership with Live Nation, it will be truly transformational for the Waikato.
“At this key milestone on this incredible journey we’ve all been on together, I truly wish to thank those who supported the Theatre project from the very outset.
“Hamilton City Council placed enormous trust in Momentum Waikato as a new organisation, and we absolutely thank them for backing the solution we offered, and have now delivered, by investing their cornerstone funding for a new Theatre with us.
“APL and Profile Group have our sincere thanks for coming on board with key support in the early days of the project.
“The Gallaghers are backing the Theatre effort through several of their charitable and business entities, and we very much thank them for the variety of financial assistance they continue to provide.
“Trust Waikato really got the Theatre project moving with their early public commitment of a significant chunk of the required funding, enormous thanks to them for their vision,” says Janice.
Trust Waikato CEO Dennis Turton echoes that sentiment.
“Trust Waikato decided to back the Theatre at the first call for funding support in 2017 because we could see then that the proposal had the potential to bring significant community and economic benefits to the city and the region.
“We're delighted that the Live Nation agreement recognises the importance of thorough community consultation and engagement and the importance of community access to the Waikato Regional Theatre," says Dennis.
Momentum Waikato Chair Neil Richardson was in the room as a Momentum trustee when the community foundation decided to take on the challenge of building a new Theatre.
On behalf of Momentum Waikato, he thanks all those who have made today’s news possible – the project’s drivers, mana whenua, donors, funders, and everyone in the community who has got behind this huge effort.
“The Waikato Regional Theatre project is a prime example of Momentum realising our vision of ‘A Better Waikato for Everyone, Forever’,” says Neil.
“When Momentum Waikato offered a way to replace Founders, as our first-ever project, our vision for a new main city venue had three key dimensions – viable-to-use community access; shows and events from across the country and the world coming to the Waikato; and a sustainable business model that ensures the community’s asset is well maintained for decades to come.
“We are very pleased the agreement the Waikato Theatre Property Trust has negotiated with Live Nation meets all of Momentum’s original criteria,” says Neil.
“There have been many hurdles to overcome over the eight years since the Theatre was first conceived. It is a testament to the vision, commitment, and determination of so many people that the path has been navigated so successfully.
“My thanks go to the previous Momentum Chairs Leonard Gardner and Ken Williamson and our past-CEO, Kelvyn Eglinton. Without their leadership the Theatre would not have become a reality. I particularly want to thank Leonard for his drive and for building such an effective coalition of partners.
“Special thanks to the mana whenua hapu of Kirikiriroa, whose representatives worked with us from early on to ensure that important cultural considerations around the Theatre’s site were met, for their support for the project.
“I specifically want to thank Ross Hargood, Belinda Mulgrew and the Waikato Regional Property Trust board for their tireless efforts. They have worked away at every detail of design, build and future operation and their efforts have resulted in this game changer for the Waikato community,” says Neil.
“A remarkable combination of funders have supported the Theatre. Donations have come from local and central government, businesses and community funders, as well as some key individuals. To you all a huge thank you from Momentum Waikato.
“Last but not certainly least, a huge thanks to all those ‘Share the Stage’ donors for your generosity. We know that a ‘Take a Seat’ donation is a significant commitment for many people, so everyone connected to the project thanks you for your contribution and belief.
“The Momentum Waikato trustees and staff, both present and past, have a huge pride in seeing the Theatre project coming to completion. This operating model put in place by the Waikato Regional Property Trust ensures the future success of the Theatre as a very valued community asset,” says Neil.
“Our city and region’s community can be proud of the Theatre it has built. The Waikato cannot wait to be sitting in the auditorium, waiting for the first curtain to go up!”
Waikato Times: Face value - Regional theatre’s façade restoration a delicate under-cover operation
Underneath the scaffolding shelter, a lot is happening. Momentum Waikato communications and marketing manager Mark Servian checks out some of the handiwork of the restoration team. PHOTO: Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES.
By Mike Mather, Saturday 7 December 2024.
It may sound like the kind of activity that would bring you before the courts, but there is a lot of “crack injection” going on outside the Waikato Regional Theatre.
However, the cracks being injected here are those in the neoclassical façade of the old Hamilton Hotel building now firmly attached to the theatre currently being constructed in an $80 million project led by Foster Construction.
It’s a painstaking and precise process that is taking place away from the eyes of the public beneath covered scaffolding on the western side of the building, facing onto Victoria St.
Waikato Times: Mystery box - Regional theatre's fly tower a 500-tonne marvel
The ever-developing scene at the Waikato Regional Theatre. PHOTO: Mark Jephson / WAIKATO TIMES.
By Mike Mather, Saturday 30 November 2024.
As the Waikato Regional Theatre slowly but surely takes shape in downtown Hamilton, passers-by suddenly have a burning question: What’s that big black box sitting on top of it for?
The massive box-shaped structure is currently 500 tonnes of structural steel that, when completed, will be home to the theatre’s fly tower. Which, of course, begs the question: What’s a fly tower?
An essential element of “proper” theatres, fly towers are effectively big lofts that sit over the stage and from which pieces of scenery are hung.
These backdrops and other elements can be quickly whisked in and out via complex counter-weight systems, creating some of the most dramatic elements and scene changes during a production.
Waikato Times: Waikato Regional Theatre complex loan helps ease private funds pressure
Fosters’ Leonard Gardner says a very welcome loan from the Municipal Endowment Fund helps ensure commercial and hospitality sections of the regional theatre can open on time, and eases pressure on private funders. PHOTO: Mark Taylor / Waikato Times.
By Stephen Ward, Thursday 14 November 2024.
A $6.5 million city council loan to help develop commercial and hospitality sections of the under-construction regional theatre complex will ease pressure on private funding sources, as well as get the job done on time.
Those comments on Wednesday are from prominent developer Leonard Gardner, who’s involved in the Fosters firm building the theatre and the Fosters Custodian Trust.
The latter is in a separate partnership responsible for the complex’s commercial and hospitality sections.
So far the work on those sections has been cash-funded by the WRT Commercial Limited Partnership, which includes a range of prominent Hamilton businesspeople.
Waikato Times: Here’s who owns city’s golden mile as countdown begins for showcase street
The Waikato Regional Theatre is starting to take shape, and Mike Neale says that comes with a challenge. PHOTO: Mark Taylor / Waikato Times.
By Richard Walker, Saturday 9 November 2024.
It’s time for landlords of shabby central city buildings to up their game as the Waikato Regional Theatre brings new life to the city’s showcase street.
The 600m stretch of Victoria St from Hood St to Ward St will be galvanised by the crowds drawn to the theatre, due to open next year, and it’s up to landlords and business owners to grasp the opportunity.
Business owners need to start thinking now about what their offering will be, says NAI Harcourts managing director Mike Neale.
“There’s no point in trying to compete directly with whoever operates in there [the theatre]. You need to have a different, better, independent offering, in my view.”
On a walk along the south end of Victoria St, Neale praises some landlords for the work they’ve done, while pointing to other buildings needing basic streetfront maintenance, the likes of spraying weeds, or patching up crumbling concrete. A shabby, uninviting door to a building draws his attention. That’s down to the landlord, he says.
Waikato Times: City puts another $6.5m skin in the game for Waikato Regional Theatre complex
The $6.5 million loan to a theatre partnership is “the first cab off the rank” of four planned property investments totalling $33.6 million by the city council’s Municipal Endowment Fund, says economic development committee chairperson Ewan Wilson. PHOTO: Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES
By Stephen Ward, Friday 8 November 2024.
The city council is putting another $6.5 million worth of financial skin in the game to help develop the new Waikato Regional Theatre site.
It’s in the form of a two-year bridging loan at commercial rates from the Municipal Endowment Fund (MEF), which has built up some $33.6 million in cash and $22 million worth of land. The MEF is used to gain returns from strategic property investments.
The latest loan - which will help establish commercial and hospitality operations at the theatre - comes on top of a $25 million council grant to the project and a 10-year annual commitment of $1.1 million for the likes of maintenance.
The theatre building will include around 785 square metres of hospitality offerings on the ground floor, and there’s potential for an art gallery and function space on the first floor.
Waikato Times: Waikato Regional Theatre goers ‘will drive out the streeties’
Mark Servian, Momentum Waikato communications and marketing manager, says the theatre will give people a positive reason to come into town in large numbers. PHOTO: Mark Taylor / Waikato Times.
By Avina Vidyadharan., Tuesday 22 October 2024.
Streeties defecating in public may be pushed out of the CBD once art lovers start frequenting Waikato Regional Theatre.
The theatre is one of the solutions to drive the negative element out of Hamilton city, claims Mark Servian.
Servian, Momentum Waikato’s communications and marketing manager, says the iconic theatre will give people a positive reason to come into town in large numbers.
“And crowds of sober people do tend to drive out both - the antisocial behaviour that comes from streeties and from drunken youngsters in the evening.
“It's the ebb and flow of activity in the city,” he said.