10 Years On Stage
Celebrate a decade on stage
In 2016, Auckland Theatre Company realised a long-held dream: a theatre to call home. Ten years on, we are celebrating this anniversary. Events, peeks behind the scenes and stories from the stage – you’ll find it all here.
When the curtain went up on the opening night of Billy Elliot: The Musical in a triumphant finale to the 2016 season, it was a truly momentous occasion. For the first time in our history, the Auckland Theatre Company finally had a place to call home. Nestled among the glittering lights of Wynyard Quarter on the edge of the Waitematā Harbour, the award-winning ASB Waterfront Theatre has become one of Tāmaki Makaurau’s architectural landmarks.
More than half a million people have come to 2,200-plus events or performances at our beautiful venue – from live theatre and stand-up comedy to concerts and film premieres.
This year our tūrangawaewae is approaching a significant milestone. In September 2026 we will celebrate the theatre’s tenth anniversary.
Over the coming months we’ll be sharing stories about the people who came together to realise a long-held dream.
the supporters
Transforming that dream into reality was made possible by generous donations from our patrons and corporate partners, alongside major investment by Auckland Council, ASB, Foundation North, Creative New Zealand and AUT and many Aucklanders, who threw their support behind the $36-million project right from the start.
the architecture
Championed and designed by architect Gordon Moller ONZM, the 675-seat theatre was conceived to enable productions at scale while creating a sense of intimacy. A clear view from every seat forms a relationship between actor and audience and is, for many, the favourite aspect of this theatre.
the artworks
Cascading down the front of the building within its glass façade is a dazzling artwork, Light Matrix (Auckland Theatre Company) 2016, by acclaimed New York light artist Leo Villareal. Commissioned by the Edmiston Trust, it spans 29 metres, is three stories tall, and is made up of 8,260 LEDs, highlighting the curved internal wall.
In the Logan Campbell Yard, standing 6.4m tall, is Pouwhakamaumāharatanga mō Māui-Tikitiki a Tāranga | The Memorial Post of Māui the Topknot of Tāranga by New Zealand sculptor Robert Jahnke ONZM (Ngāi Taharoa, Te Whānau a Iritekura, Te Whānau a Rākairo o Ngāti Porou). It represents three Māori legends, grounding the theatre and the work of the Company.
ASB Waterfront Theatre Founding Supporters
The late Adrian Burr & the late Peter Tatham
Jan & Trevor Farmer, Friedlander Foundation, Dame Jenny Gibbs DNZM, Joséphine & Ross Green, The Hon Anne Hinton KC & Peter Hinton, Lady Dayle Mace MNZM & Sir Chris Mace KNZM
Betsy & Michael Benjamin, Helen Clark ONZ, SSI, PC & Peter Davis, Jenny & Andrew Smith, Susan & Gavin Walker ONZM
Christine & Richard Didsbury, the late Dame Rosie Horton DNZM, QSO, QSM & Michael Horton CNZM, Heather & Len Jury, Peter Macky & Yuri Opeshko, in loving memory of Sally Markham MNZM, Pip Muir & The Hon Kit Toogood KC, Joanne Smout & Janmarie Thompson
Margot & Alastair Acland, John Barnett Family Trust, Frances Bell & the late Bill Bell, Mary & Peter Brook, Anne & Paul Hargreaves, Norma Journeaux, Lorna & Scott Kerse, Ian Webster & Jianni Felpas, The David Levene Foundation, M & A Leys, Kaye Lillico & John Mace MNZM, MacDonald Industries Ltd, Rita & Nicholas Martin, Mercury Theatre Restoration Trust, Margaret & Antony Morris, Prue Olde & the late Denver Olde, Fran & the late Geoff Ricketts, J & R Stead, Noel & Kerrin Vautier CMG, Anonymous (1)
Mrs & Mr K.H. Alison, Elizabeth Wright & Eric Allan, Margaret Anderson, Vivienne & Duncan Bamfield, Amanda Beckett, Trish Brown & Geoff Dalbeth, Sandy & Alan Bulmer, Judy & Gray Cameron, Amanda Smith & Paul Chappel, Sue & Sean Coleman, Barbie & Paul Cook, Jacqui Cormack & Matt Olde, Rosemary Thomson & Paul Dacre KC, Joanne Mott & Michael Dane, Susan East Family Trust, Elizabeth & Richard Ebbett, Jane & Jock Ferguson, Jane Marris & Andrew Ferrier, Virginia Fisher & Stephen Fisher QSO, Noela Gibbons, Stephanie & Michael Gowan, Great Southern Film and Television, Lady Dianne Hall & Sir Roger Hall KNZM, QSO, Penelope & The Hon Rodney Hansen KC, Sue & John Harvey, Kerry & The Hon Paul Heath KC, Carolyn Hughes & Sandy O’Brien, Caroline Hutchison, Stella McDonald & Robert Johnston, Sue Nelson & Deborah Kelland, Rosemary Langham, Bev & Paul Le Grice, Barbara & John Lindsay, Gayle & Randal Lockie, Mel & Phil Maguire, Matavino Wines, James Sweetbaum & Jean-Pierre Mathy, Stephen Mayne, Lynne Webber & Priscilla McGirr, Michael McHugh, Ann & Alan McKenzie, Maureen McMillan, Greg Moyle & Family, Freda & Robert Narev ONZM, Heather Pascual, Georgina & Frank Rose, Jane & John Sieprath, South Pacific Pictures Limited, Alison & Ian Stenberg, Fiona & William Stevens, Margaret & Peter Stretton, Diane & Robert Strevens, Angela & Stephen Toms, Christine & Ross Turner, Patricia Watson, Maureen & Scott Whineray, Frances & Chris Woolcott, Sue & John Yeoman, Anonymous (2)
