Originally published in Waikato Times, Tuesday 20 January 2026.
By Mike Mather.
Chris Lam Sam give the BNZ Theatre the thumbs up at Monday night’s opening. PHOTO: Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES.
Chris Lam Sam and opening night composer and director Jeremy Mayall. PHOTO: Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES.
There was a palpable sense of elation at the BNZ Theatre on Monday night as the doors opened to the public for the $80 million venue’s inaugural production.
For almost everyone who comprised the full house attending the locally-made showcase, To The Stars/Ki Ngā Whetū, it was their first proper glimpse of the theatre’s main auditorium - an environment carefully kept hidden from public sight until Monday night’s “big reveal”.
The show is being staged again on Tuesday and Wednesday night - although seats for those events have all been allocated. The shows, however, will go on with Teeks and Sir Dave Dobbyn performing there this weekend.
The Public Bar & Bistro façade of the BNZ Theatre shows its best face on opening night. PHOTO: Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES.
A segment of the ‘To The Stars’ opening night performance. PHOTO: Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES.
To The Stars brought together performers from across the region. PHOTO: Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES.
The audience takes their seats for opening night. PHOTO: Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES.
Avril and Wally Hawken. PHOTO: Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES.
The all-singing, all-dancing vibrancy of the Viv’s Boutique number showed the theatre’s acoustics to best effect. PHOTO: Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES.
Tama Potaka and his wife Ariana Paul, Kelvyn Eglinton and Lavinia Jacobsen. PHOTO: Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES.
To The Stars Show opening night. PHOTO: Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES.
Theatregoers enjoy the facilities in the new building. PHOTO: Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES.
Hamilton mayor Tim Macindoe, Louise Upston, Ruth Arcus and Doug Arcus. PHOTO: Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES.
David and Wendy Cashmore. PHOTO: Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES.
The Hamilton Hotel entrance provided an elegant gateway. PHOTO: Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES.
The view from the Caiger landing to the full house. PHOTO: Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES.
From left: Deb Nudds, Claire van der Most, Jay van der Most. PHOTO: Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES.
Kim Bares and Gemma Bodle. PHOTO: Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES.
Maggie and Cameron Whelan. PHOTO: Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES.
From left: Stacey Ward, Vanessa Keith, Shelley Halpin, Hannah Davies. PHOTO: Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES.
Erin and Quinn McIlmurray. PHOTO: Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES.
From left: Chris Harvey, Tiffiney Perry and Jack Harvey. PHOTO: Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES.