Culture Guide in Auckland
CINEMA
Unless you live on a west coast beach or in a rural area, you won’t be far from a movie theatre in Auckland. Most Auckland theatres are multiplexes dedicated primarily to the latest blockbusters and acclaimed or popular foreign or art films. Whenever there is a new New Zealand movie, you can be sure local theatres will be showing it. Many Auckland theatres serve beer and wine; some also offer higher-priced luxury seating with meal service and full bars.
Movies have to pass via the classifications office in New Zealand where they will be allocated an audience rating before they can be shown to the general public. Movies may occasionally be censored or deemed unsuitable for public viewing. The main ratings are:
G – suitable for general viewing
PG – parental guidance recommended
M – Mature audience age 16+
Rxx – the classifications office can apply any age they deem fit to their restricted rating, for example, R13 means that the movie is restricted to people age 13+, R18 is restricted to viewers aged 18+.
It often takes Hollywood movies a few months from their original release to make it to New Zealand. Occasionally a movie will even be available on DVD in the US before it shows up in New Zealand theatres, however, movies with a wide international release will often show up right away.
Tickets can be bought in advance and online for many large Auckland theatre chains.
Academy Cinemas – http://www.academycinemas.co.nz
Ph: 09 373 2761
Auckland Public Library
Lorne St, Auckland City Centre
Auckland’s premiere Art House cinema. Two screens.
Berkeley Cinemas http://www.bcg.net.nz
Large multiplex chain. Circle Lounge for luxury seating.
Locations in Botany Downs, Hibiscus Coast, Mission Bay and Takapuna
Bridgeway Cinema – http://www.bridgeway.co.nz
Ph: 09 481 0040
122 Queen St, Northcote Point
Art House cinema in Northcote point on the North Shore. Four screens.
Capitol Cinema — http://www.capitolcinema.co.nz
Ph: 09 623 2000
610 Dominion Rd, Balmoral
Historic, single screen movie theater
Hollywood Cinema – http://www.hollywoodcinema.net.nz
Ph: 09 828 8393
20 St Georges Rd, Avondale
Historic single screen cinema built in 1915.
Hoyt’s – http://www.hoyts.co.nz
Sylvia Park and Wairau Park
State-of-the-art multiplexes with options including standard, luxury and bean bag seating and the largest 35mm screen in the world.
Lido Cinema — http://www.lido.co.nz
Ph: 09 630 1500
427 Manukau Rd, Epsom
Luxury independent cinema. Two screens.
Matakana Cinemas — http://www.matakanacinemas.co.nz
Ph: 09 423 0218
2 Matakana Valley Road, Matakana
New, luxury, three screen independent cinema in semi-rural north Auckland area.
Open Air Cinema — http://www.openair.co.nz/
Openair Cinema movie events are located throughout Auckland and New Zealand. Movies are usually held in local parks during the summer. Some events are ticketed, some are donation payments and some are free to attend. Most of the summer series throughout Auckland is free of charge. Check their website for more information.
Rialto – http://www.rialto.co.nz
Ph: 09 369 2417
167-169 Broadway, Newmarket
Seven screen luxury multiplex.
Sky City – http://www.skycitycinemas.co.nz
Auckland’s largest movie theater chain. Multiplexes with luxury options, IMAX screen downtown.
Locations in Albany, Broadway, Highland Park, Manukau, Queen Street, St Lukes, West City, Westgate.
Waiheke Community Cinema — http://www.waihekecinema.net/
Ph: 09 372 4240
2 Korora Rd, Waiheke Island
Waiheke Island’s single screen lounge cinema.
DVDs
DVDs are readily available for rental and purchase both in stores and over the internet.
Rentals – new releases $8.00 for 2-3 days, all others $5.00 for 5-7 days.
Purchase – anywhere from $10 to $50 or more, depending on the movie.
The main video chains are:
STORES:
Blockbuster Video – http://www.blockbuster.co.nz
Newmarket, Mt. Wellington and Glen Innes locations
Civic Video – http:///www.civicvideo.co.nz
6 locations in Auckland
United Video – http://www.unitedvideo.co.nz
7 locations in Auckland
Video Ezy – http://www.videoezy.co.nz
16 locations in Auckland
ONLINE SERVICES
Fatso – http://www.fatso.co.nz
Plans from $9.95 per month
OPERA/THEATRE/BALLET
New Zealand’s opera and ballet companies divide their time between Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and other NZ cities. Whilst in Auckland they usually perform at the Aotea Centre on Queen Street, Downtown.
Opera & Ballet
The New Zealand Opera — http://www.nzopera.com/
Tickets can be purchased by phone at THE EDGE (09 357 3355 or 0800 BUYTICKETS)
ONLINE: http://www.BUYTICKETS.co.nz
IN PERSON: THE EDGE Box Office, Aotea Centre, Queen Street, Auckland
(9.30am-5.30pm, Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm, Sat & Sun)
Tickets become available when the season is announced, often several months in advance. Ticket prices start at $49.50 up to $187.50 and more.
The New Zealand Ballet – http://www.nzballet.org.nz
Tickets can be purchased by phone at THE EDGE (09 357 3355 or 0800 BUYTICKETS)
ONLINE: http://www.BUYTICKETS.co.nz
IN PERSON: THE EDGE Box Office, Aotea Centre, Queen Street, Auckland
(9.30am-5.30pm, Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm, Sat & Sun)
Tickets become available when the season is announced, often several months in advance. Ticket prices start at $32.00 for an adult up to $100.00 and more.
Theatre
Auckland Theatre Company – http://www.atc.co.nz
Performs at various venues including The Bruce Mason Centre in Takapuna and the Maidment Theatre, the SkyCity Theatre, the Musgrove Studio, and The Basement, all located Downtown. Exact location will be specified on the website.
Tickets can be purchased months in advance. Subscription prices start at $140 for four shows. Tickets for individual performances start at $25 for a matinee and can run up to $57 per show, depending on the show and the theatre. Tickets can be purchased online or in person or by phone at each venue’s box office.
The Silo Theatre – http://www.silotheatre.co.nz
New Zealand’s premiere boutique theatre. Performances are held at various locations at The Edge complex in Downtown Auckland.
Subscriptions available, individual tickets can also be purchased by calling 09 357 3355, or online at http://www.the-edge.co.nz. Adult tickets for individual performances range from $20-$39.
RESOURCES
Entertainment information can be found in many places, but some of the regularly updated places to check for upcoming events are:
- http://www.eventfinder.co.nz
- Metro Magazine
- NZ Herald’s Time Out section, published every Thursday and Saturday
- http://www.viewauckland.co.nz/
- http://premier.ticketek.co.nz/
