About Hawkes Bay Opera House

Welcome to the extraordinary Hawke's Bay Opera House - one of the Southern Hemisphere's most impressive examples of Spanish Mission Architecture.

Formally known as The Hastings Municipal Theatre Complex, The Hawke's Bay Opera House has recently undergone a change of management who are currently enjoying her restoration and rejuvenation with a true commitment to being the best and most vibrant entertainment venue in Hawke's Bay.

The Hawke's Bay Opera House proudly boasts a reputation for being one of the best lyric theatres of its type in Australasia made better by its brand new back stage facilities, including dressing rooms and counterweight fly floor system.

Offering a unique range of venues and services, the attached Municipal Buildings also house Hawke's Bay's largest ballroom (complete with fully restored sprung dance floor). Combined with the Opera House, we are proud to be able to offer a unique destination for an entire plethora of events and conferences.

The 985 seat Opera House is the home of the Arts in the Hawke’s Bay. Over its 91 years of operation, HBOH has hosted a myriad of performance genres - from ballet to contemporary dance, operas to musical theatre, vaudeville to stand-up comedy, Shakespearean drama to pantomime and more.
Situated in Hastings, Hawke's Bay where the expanse of the blue Pacific Ocean forms a dramatic backdrop to renowned vineyards and wineries that produce award winning wines. Where fruit orchards and farms stand along side world famous Art Deco and Spanish Mission architecture, where the world's largest mainland gannet colony resides, where wilderness beaches stretch for miles.

Hastings Municipal Theatre Complex

The Art Nouveau theatre with its Spanish Mission façade, built in 1915, forms the keystone of the complex, hosting everything from dramatic opera productions to local ballet recital, international corporate conferences to rock concerts. An extensive upgrade of the venue, completed in 2007, brought together the Municipal Buildings on one side and an Italian-influenced plaza on the other – culminating in one of New Zealand's premiere performing arts, conference and events centres.

Hawke's Bay loves its Opera House and we promise, once you walk through the doors, you will too. Lawrence Yule Mayor of Hastings

The Hawke's Bay Opera House was designed by Wellington Architect, Henry Eli White, and built in 1915. The Theatre was built by Napier firm, Bull Brothers, who submitted the lowest tender at £12,000. A considerable sum, reflecting the community's support for performing arts.

Formally known as The Hastings Municipal Theatre Complex, The Hawke's Bay Opera House and Precinct buildings proudly boast a reputation for being one of the best lyric theatres of its type in New Zealand. The interior decorations of the Theatre are extravagant - Art Nouveau influence using designs inspired by nature and a love of fine crafts. The Art Nouveau style originated in Europe and was a reaction against the industrialisation of the period.

The Theatre was designed to seat close to 1,400 people. White's design was notable for uninterrupted sight-lines, excellent ventilation, extensive accommodation for actors (with 15 dressing rooms!) and fine acoustics.

The grand opening night was on 18 October 1915. Hastings Operatic Society performed "San Yoy" a Chinese musical comedy. In its early days, movies were a popular form of entertainment and the theatre was also used as a cinema and for boxing matches. Valentinos "The Sheik" screened at the Theatre in 1926.

The Theatre survived the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake although major reconstruction was needed backstage. Repairs were carried out by Fletcher Construction Co.

In the 1980's, work began to revitalise the Theatre to its former glory. In 1987 the first stage of the theatre restoration began and was completed in 1990. The interior was painted rose pink and gold and leadlight windows restored.

The second stage of revitalising the theatre was completed by 1993. This involved building a walkway link between the theatre and Shakespeare Room, bar and function rooms to create a multi-purpose performing arts centre.

Within the building is The Assembly, which has the largest ballroom in Hawke's Bay and a restored dance floor. This multi-purpose venue is suitable for conferences, weddings or similar functions as it is fully licensed and has a commercial kitchen. The sprung floor also makes an excellent warm-up exercise area for visiting ballet and dance performers.

The Shakespeare Room is a smaller but equally delightful area for up-market functions. Formerly the old Municipal Chambers, the Shakespeare Room comfortably holds 100 people and is also fully licensed. Other gallery and studio spaces are available.