Show your support for Te Whare Whakarauika, the Wellington Town Hall, the cornerstone of the National Music Centre and the cultural and civic heart of our capital city.
Become a Chairholder
By naming a chair in the Adam Auditorium, your gift becomes part of the Town Hall’s history: a visible tribute to your belief in the power of music, art, and community.
Become a chairholder today to help support the state-of-the-art fitout of the National Music Centre, dedicated to music education, research, performance and community participation.
Celebrating your donation
Your name commemorated
Your name will be memorialised on your chosen chair with a dedicated plaque.
An exclusive invitation
As part of the Town Hall reopening, all chairholders will be invited to a private event recognising their support. This will be your chance to sit in your named seat, experience the Adam Auditorium before it’s open to the public, and share in the moment with fellow donors.
First access tickets
Chairholders will also receive early access to tickets for the Town Hall’s opening festival which will celebrate this once-in-a-generation cultural milestone.
Share in history
Throughout its illustrious history, the Wellington Town Hall has welcomed international music stars, royal visitors, theatre and sporting events, political rallies, cultural celebrations and even wool sales. It has always been a place where Wellingtonians gather to engage, celebrate and be inspired together.
Premium and
Deluxe chair
The fabric is made of New Zealand wool, grown in the southern Hawkes Bay. Yarns are spun in Lower Hutt before being dyed and woven into a world-class fabric in Mt Wellington, Auckland.
Your details engraved on a plaque mounted to the back of the chair.
Southerland beech timber veneer, sustainably milled in Tuatapere. Stained to complement the Organ timberwork
Carefully designed and tested to be comfortable and deliver a high level of acoustic absorption/reflective balance.
Stall Chair
Your details engraved on a plaque mounted to the back of the chair.
Designed for comfort and durability, to meet demanding performance criteria.
The fabric is made of New Zealand wool, grown in the southern Hawkes Bay. Yarns are spun in Lower Hutt before being dyed and woven into a world-class fabric in Mt Wellington, Auckland.
Share in the future
On stage, your support will enable the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, emerging musicians, and performers of every kind to share their artistry with the nation. In the audience, you’ll sit alongside others who champion creativity and support for the people who bring our stages to life.
Chaired by former Wellington Mayor Dame Kerry Prendergast, a joint fundraising campaign between Victoria University of Wellington and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra set an ambitious goal: to raise $30 million to enable the state-of-the-art fitout of each organisation’s spaces in the Town Hall, helping to create the National Music Centre.
The Adam Foundation led the way with a founding gift of $4 million. They were joined by founding benefactors, the T G Macarthy Trust, HRL Morrison & Co, Infratil, and the Lloyd Morrison Trust, and Sir Peter Jackson and Dame Fran Walsh. Other generous organisations and individuals pitched in, and we have now raised 85% of the total.
Your gift, by taking a seat, will help us reach the finish line!
FAQs
Is my gift to the National Music Centre a charitable donation?
Yes. All donations to the National Music Centre are received by the Victoria University of Wellington Foundation (Charities Registration Number CC10288) and are eligible for a tax credit. The Foundation accepts and manages philanthropic support for the National Music Centre in collaboration with our project partner, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. In recognition of your gift, you can choose a seat to name in the Adam Auditorium.
Can I make a gift in instalments?
Yes. We offer different regular giving options. See the donation section for more information.
How will my gift to the National Music Centre be recognised and celebrated?
You will be able to name a chair of your choosing. You’ll also be invited to a special event during the opening festivities. You’ll have the opportunity to sit in your named seat, experience the Adam Auditorium before it opens to the public, and share the moment with fellow donors who helped bring the Town Hall back to life.
Can I name my chosen seat anything I want?
You can choose the name that will appear on your chair plaque, as long as it fits within the character limit. We do reserve the right to decline names that are inappropriate, disrespectful, or not aligned with the values of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra—Te Tira Pūoro o Aotearoa or Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Can businesses or organisations become a Chairholder?
Yes. Businesses and organisations are welcome to participate, subject to the same naming guidelines.
Can I change the name on my seat in the future?
Once a seat is named and the plaque is installed, the name cannot be changed, except in exceptional circumstances. Please contact us if you have questions.
How long will the plaque be on my chosen chair?
Your plaque will stay in place for the lifetime of the seat, though as part of maintenance or venue operations, seats may shift or be replaced as required.
Does my gift mean I can sit in my named seat at concerts and performances?
No. The plaque on your chosen seat is a recognition of your gift and does not confer any entitlement to use that seat during concerts or events.
Is the seating plan final?
Minor adjustments may occur as Wellington City Council finalises the installation of fixed premium and deluxe seats. Supporters will be contacted if their chosen seat is affected in any way.
What happens if the auditorium layout changes in the future?
We will do our best to honour named seats. If a seat is affected by future changes, we will contact the donor to discuss options.