Aotea Square
Aotea Square
3.5
This location was reported permanently closed
About
Aotea Centre is home to two theatres, function rooms, Auckland's largest inner city outdoor space Aotea Square and BOX Cafe & Bar on the terrace. Inside the foyers you can find a large collection of New Zealand artworks.
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3.5
157 reviews
Excellent
31
Very good
62
Average
49
Poor
11
Terrible
4
PerfectStrangerNZ
Tutukaka, New Zealand82 contributions
Dec 2012 • Family
A stunning performance of Giselle by the Royal New Zealand Ballet Company. But whoever designed the ASB Theatre in the Aotea Centre should be drawn and quartered. Did they really think audiences were born without bladders???
Granted, my wife and I are of an age when our bladders demand more attention than before. But one would think the people who built this complex would have provided more loos ... and positioned them in more convenient spots. We were seated in the circle with a great view of the performance, but to get to the toilets nearest our seats, I had to make my way down stairs through intermission crowds to the lower level and then down another level to wait in a long queue only to find that the line of people were having to negotiate a narrow stairwell to an even lower level.
It was barely wide enough for one person, let alone the stream of people trying to leave. So I gave up and went to what I was told was the only other toilet facility in the place. That too was packed, but at least I was able to get in and out and back in my seat before intermission ended.
And this is supposed to be the best venue in New Zealand's biggest city?
By the way - we've attended many an event in this theatre over the years, particularly the Writers and Readers Festivals. But this is the first time we've sat in the circle and, unlike the seating in the stalls, the chairs were both comfortable and stable. Be warned that the seating in the stalls is not nearly as comfortable and tends to rock around a bit.
All in all, it would benefit Aotea Centre users and Auckland's reputation if the toilets at the ASB Theatre (and Town Hall for that matter) were made more accessible for more people. After all, they are primarily used before performances and during intermissions when people don't have a lot of time to wait in long queues to use them.
Granted, my wife and I are of an age when our bladders demand more attention than before. But one would think the people who built this complex would have provided more loos ... and positioned them in more convenient spots. We were seated in the circle with a great view of the performance, but to get to the toilets nearest our seats, I had to make my way down stairs through intermission crowds to the lower level and then down another level to wait in a long queue only to find that the line of people were having to negotiate a narrow stairwell to an even lower level.
It was barely wide enough for one person, let alone the stream of people trying to leave. So I gave up and went to what I was told was the only other toilet facility in the place. That too was packed, but at least I was able to get in and out and back in my seat before intermission ended.
And this is supposed to be the best venue in New Zealand's biggest city?
By the way - we've attended many an event in this theatre over the years, particularly the Writers and Readers Festivals. But this is the first time we've sat in the circle and, unlike the seating in the stalls, the chairs were both comfortable and stable. Be warned that the seating in the stalls is not nearly as comfortable and tends to rock around a bit.
All in all, it would benefit Aotea Centre users and Auckland's reputation if the toilets at the ASB Theatre (and Town Hall for that matter) were made more accessible for more people. After all, they are primarily used before performances and during intermissions when people don't have a lot of time to wait in long queues to use them.
Written 6 December 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Written 10 February 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Paul Legate
United Kingdom21,893 contributions
Jan 2017 • Couples
Aotea Square is a large public space in CBD and is situated off Queen Street betwwen the Town Hall and Aotea Centre, it was opened in 1979 by Sir Dove-Myer Robinson, a former mayor of Auckland and was redeveloped in 2010. We visited on a weekday and the square was busy with lunchtime crowds. The main focal point is an arch called Waharoa which is made of wood and copper and was created by Selwyn Muru. It is not an overly attractive square but a nice enough place for a short visit whilst in the city.
Written 12 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback here! :)
Written 10 February 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Paul Legate
United Kingdom21,893 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
We have visited Aotea Square a number of times, it is in the heart of the city and is a great place to stop off whilst in Auckland. We visited on Waitangi Day and it was quite busy with families enjoying the national holiday. It is not one of the top attractions in Central Auckland but it definitely worth visiting whilst in the city.
Written 7 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Written 10 February 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
holyisle
new zealand131 contributions
May 2013 • Friends
Vegetable lasagna on a plastic plate , cold in parts but with a tough crust that could not be cut by the plastic cutlery. Wine in plastic glasses, Coffee in takeaway cups. What are you thinking ?
I would be ashamed to take anyone here. Have moved my pre-dinner drinks/ food consumption to the Q Theatre. real glasses, plates and cutlery there.
This could be a good venue but until you get rid of the plastic I and many others won't even try again.
I would be ashamed to take anyone here. Have moved my pre-dinner drinks/ food consumption to the Q Theatre. real glasses, plates and cutlery there.
This could be a good venue but until you get rid of the plastic I and many others won't even try again.
Written 18 May 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback here! :)
Written 10 February 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
on_the_go_98765
Tucson20,581 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
This square is Auckland's center for political discourse, protest rallies and various
demonstrations, as well as being the primo location for concerts and markets and parades. Maybe its close-cousins would be Athens' Parliament Square (where we have been during demonstrations) or even Washington D.C.'s Great Mall or Istanbul's Taksim Square (yup, been there during a demonstration too). Every major city surely has a place where people congregate for a number of reasons to raise their collective voices. This is Auckland's center.
Nothing volatile going on while we visited one brief weekend in February. And we are totally fine with that. We observed families watching carefully as their little tots took to their kiddie-wheels, hotties strutted their stuff, tourists grabbed on to anything that looked to make a good photo op and raised their hands in those ridiculous peace sign /victory poses (??? what is up with that anyway???), and the square was bouncing to life. Time for us to grab our grub and giddy-up back to the hotel.
The center of the square features an absolutely beautiful and intricate arch, Maori style. The arch motif is a common element in Maori culture. This particular piece was crafted by a Maori artist/sculptor and features fishes, birds, the moon, stars, small Maori vessels (everything filled with Maori symbolism), and a beautiful (Haiku) poem inscribed in the arch: "stop your snivelling creekbed, come rain, hail, and flood water, laugh again." The "snivelling" part spoke to me: shake it off (or so says Taylor Swift) and get on with life. Or so I heard anyway.
Each of us takes away something different and I feel quite certain that there is an entire college course taught in deciphering the hidden meaning to this haiku and all those delightful undercurrents of "what does this mean anyway?" Maybe I need to take that course. But as the tourists, "we takes them as we finds them" and feel the connection in our souls between this remote ancient culture and our own highly over- commercialized and interconnected selves. Sigh. Enough said.
Around the square is a statue dedicated to a founding father. He looks to be a Sonny Bono look-alike: both so dimunitive in stature but good things come in small packages (proven time and time again). You can't miss the statue, just look for those tourists wrapping themselves around the dude, all holding up those two fingers raised in (what?) triumph or conquest or victory sign ... this just escapes me. I am still mightily confounded. We normally try to stay completely clear of these remonstrations (and these people).
So, the square is front and center in the heart of the CBD and also the location for good eats and lots of fun (go to Sky World for some good entertainment and multi-ethnic eats and maybe bowl a game or two). The square is close to the university and that alone seems like enough to light the fuse of whatever cause is the cause du jour.
We love Auckland for its vibrancy, its multiculturism, its vitality, and its diversity. This (Aotea) square is home base for Auckland's pulse and its heart.
demonstrations, as well as being the primo location for concerts and markets and parades. Maybe its close-cousins would be Athens' Parliament Square (where we have been during demonstrations) or even Washington D.C.'s Great Mall or Istanbul's Taksim Square (yup, been there during a demonstration too). Every major city surely has a place where people congregate for a number of reasons to raise their collective voices. This is Auckland's center.
Nothing volatile going on while we visited one brief weekend in February. And we are totally fine with that. We observed families watching carefully as their little tots took to their kiddie-wheels, hotties strutted their stuff, tourists grabbed on to anything that looked to make a good photo op and raised their hands in those ridiculous peace sign /victory poses (??? what is up with that anyway???), and the square was bouncing to life. Time for us to grab our grub and giddy-up back to the hotel.
The center of the square features an absolutely beautiful and intricate arch, Maori style. The arch motif is a common element in Maori culture. This particular piece was crafted by a Maori artist/sculptor and features fishes, birds, the moon, stars, small Maori vessels (everything filled with Maori symbolism), and a beautiful (Haiku) poem inscribed in the arch: "stop your snivelling creekbed, come rain, hail, and flood water, laugh again." The "snivelling" part spoke to me: shake it off (or so says Taylor Swift) and get on with life. Or so I heard anyway.
Each of us takes away something different and I feel quite certain that there is an entire college course taught in deciphering the hidden meaning to this haiku and all those delightful undercurrents of "what does this mean anyway?" Maybe I need to take that course. But as the tourists, "we takes them as we finds them" and feel the connection in our souls between this remote ancient culture and our own highly over- commercialized and interconnected selves. Sigh. Enough said.
Around the square is a statue dedicated to a founding father. He looks to be a Sonny Bono look-alike: both so dimunitive in stature but good things come in small packages (proven time and time again). You can't miss the statue, just look for those tourists wrapping themselves around the dude, all holding up those two fingers raised in (what?) triumph or conquest or victory sign ... this just escapes me. I am still mightily confounded. We normally try to stay completely clear of these remonstrations (and these people).
So, the square is front and center in the heart of the CBD and also the location for good eats and lots of fun (go to Sky World for some good entertainment and multi-ethnic eats and maybe bowl a game or two). The square is close to the university and that alone seems like enough to light the fuse of whatever cause is the cause du jour.
We love Auckland for its vibrancy, its multiculturism, its vitality, and its diversity. This (Aotea) square is home base for Auckland's pulse and its heart.
Written 16 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CarolSteve95726
Pollock Pines, CA149 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
Went to the Banksy graffiti exhibit on the recommendation of an art teacher friend we have been staying with here, and it was excellent, if you can catch it before February 5th. Banksy and his message is not for everyone, but no doubt about it, it graffiti is known all over the world, and it definitely sends his message. Recommended.
Written 23 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback here! :)
Written 10 February 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
DJS1950
Ottawa, Canada458 contributions
Mar 2017 • Solo
A great open air venue in the city.....check out what is coming up....unfortunately for us it was in preparation for an upcoming arts festival so the grounds were closed.
Written 3 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback here! :)
Written 10 February 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Orla B
Dublin, Ireland583 contributions
Jan 2017 • Friends
There was some sort of festival when we visited which made it even more interesting and lovely. Definitely worth a visit.
Written 27 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback here! :)
Written 10 February 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Brian C
Auckland Central, New Zealand554 contributions
Feb 2017 • Friends
Aotea Square is right in the centre of the Auckland CBD. It is an open area used by thousands of people to relax, snack, walk across, and enjoy the variety of activities that happen on it from time to time.
Throughout the year there are a wide variety of activities hosted on Aotea Square. These include an ice skating rink, cultural performances, Diwali celebrations, Christmas celebrations, a sports car fiesta, awareness / education programs, and several musical performances.
It is located between Sky World entertainment complex and the City Hall, about half way along Queen Street between Britomart and K' Road.
Throughout the year there are a wide variety of activities hosted on Aotea Square. These include an ice skating rink, cultural performances, Diwali celebrations, Christmas celebrations, a sports car fiesta, awareness / education programs, and several musical performances.
It is located between Sky World entertainment complex and the City Hall, about half way along Queen Street between Britomart and K' Road.
Written 24 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback here! :)
Written 10 February 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
cfuller603
Washington DC, DC899 contributions
Jan 2017 • Friends
A mayor decided Auckland needed a center, so he had this small park built. It's located between the old and new town halls. There is an interesting modern Maori sculpture at the entrance.
Written 7 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback here! :)
Written 10 February 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
What are good nearby restaurants to ASB theatre?
Written 18 February 2015
Depends what you mean by "good". The Rendezvous hotel and the Sky Tower complex are a short walk away if you want fine dining, with the Sky Tower by far the best option. But you will need to book ahead. If you want interesting Asian food I've found it good to haul myself up Queen Street where you'll find real Asians eating real Asian food in basic surroundings. It's not fine dining but it's good food.
Written 12 June 2016
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