Drax Project & Friends to Ignite Grand Opening of Te Whare Whakarauika Wellington Town Hall

A landmark moment in Wellington’s cultural story will burst into life when Te Whare Whakarauika Wellington Town Hall reopens with a spectacular performance led by hometown heroes Drax Project on 20 February 2027.

Set to be a celebration of music, community, and heritage, the opening night will showcase the very best of Aotearoa’s creative talent inside one of the capital’s most treasured and revitalised venues.

From busking on Wellington’s streets to headlining one of its most iconic stages, Drax Project’s return is a powerful full-circle moment. Fans can expect the NZ Platinum band’s biggest hits, including Woke Up Late, Catching Feelings, Firefly and Summer Rain, alongside surprise appearances from a lineup of “friends” spanning local and national talent.

Joining them on the bill is one of the city’s most beloved names, Bret McKenzie, who will open the evening alongside his eight-piece Wellington-based band, The State Highway Wonders.

Drax Project says: “This is going to be a very special gig for us! We all met while at uni here and Wellington is where we got our start. The Town Hall closed before Drax became a thing, but playing there is something we’ve always dreamt of doing as a band. The restoration is world class.”

“We’ve invited some of our favourite collaborators, inspirations and mates to join us. It’s going to feel like a celebration of the New Zealand music whānau.”

The band are keeping the full guest list close to their chests until the night, but say: “This won't be a ‘normal’ show. We're inviting a heap of friends - old and new - from the past, present and future of New Zealand music to join us for this moment. The excitement about the reopening of this venue stretches well beyond Wellington. Everyone we've spoken to so far seems very keen to help make it a very big night!”

The announcement comes ahead of the full opening programme for the venue.

Heidi Morton, Events & Experiences General Manager at Venues Wellington / WellingtonNZ, which operates the venue, says: “This reopening is a defining cultural moment for our city. We wanted an opening that felt electric, inclusive and proudly Wellington, and Drax Project & Friends will embody exactly that.”

“Te Whare Whakarauika Wellington Town Hall is returning better than ever - heritage-rich, acoustically exceptional, and ready to host world-class experiences for everyone. This is a Town Hall for all.”

Mayor Andrew Little adds: “It’s been 13 years since the Town Hall has been alive with music, so to now be at the point where we’re announcing the first reopening act is exciting for our city.”

The venue’s reopening also marks the opening of the National Music Centre, a landmark collaboration between the Wellington City Council, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra – Te Tira Pūoro o Aotearoa and Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington’s New Zealand School of Music – Te Kōkī.  The National Music Centre will bring students, professional musicians, and creative industry leaders together to provide some of the best performance and education experiences in the world. 

The NZSO will soon reveal its 2027 season, including a special opening collaboration.

NZSO Chief Executive Marc Feldman says: "It’s an extraordinary twist of fate that our return to the Town Hall coincides with our 80th birthday. Our first concert took place here in 1947, and its remarkable acoustics have shaped the life of the orchestra ever since – from landmark performances to iconic film scores.

“This is a true homecoming to one of the world’s great concert halls, at the heart of a city where music, the performing arts and cinema shape our shared identity. Returning to this stage is deeply meaningful to the NZSO and we are eager to share it again with audiences and artists alike.”

The connection for Drax Project also runs deep, with members of the band themselves alumni of NZSM.

Professor Kim Cunio from NZSM adds: “We could not be happier than welcoming back such great musicians and former students to the launch of the Town Hall. The New Zealand School of Music is a place that wants all music to thrive and you will see it in this incredible opening.”

The reopening is also welcome news to local and national promoters, including Brent Eccles from Eccles Entertainment. Brent says that the venue’s return “opens the door to an incredible range of shows offering fans both standing and seated options in a room with a lot of mana. It’s a game-changer for local and international artists.”

Te Whare Whakarauika Wellington Town Hall closed in 2013 and restorations began in 2019. It is a grade one listed heritage building that has been restored to its early 1900s glory, with many original features restored using the same techniques and original materials.

The venue will host a year-round programme of exceptional artists, from local musicians to leading New Zealand performers, to acclaimed international acts, and also marks another key milestone in the revitalisation of Te Ngākau Precinct — the civic, cultural, and creative heart of the city.

Tickets to Drax Project & Friends go on sale midday Friday 19 June at Ticketmaster. 

Date published: 16 June 2026