The Gaiety, located on Rue Jolie in Akaroa, contains a main theatre-style hall and a meeting/supper room with full kitchen facilities and is ideal for concerts, weddings and community events.

Bookings for venues are temporarily unavailable until 9 June 2025 while we make some improvements to how you can book Council spaces.

Existing bookings are not affected. Thanks for your patience.

Hall

Supper Room

Kitchen

The Gaiety has the following capacities:

Maximum occupancy 360

A maximum of 50 people on the mezzanine floor. (This is included in the total occupancy of 360).

 

Hours of hire

  • Available 8am to midnight daily.

Access

  • Wheelchair access from the parking area beside the building.
  • 40 onsite car parks including 3 accessible parks beside the side door ramp in the car park.
  • On-street parking is available.

The below pricing takes effect from 1 July 2024.

Main Theatre

  • $18.00 per hour for not-for-profit community groups where the booking is for community benefit and does not charge attendees.
  • $33.00 per hour for not-for-profit community groups where the booking is for a community group and charges fees or takes payment.
  • $90.00 per hour for commercial, business, private or celebration hire. This includes auctions, meetings, birthdays, weddings, private events, funerals etc.
  • $602.00 weekend hire: Extended event hire for private or celebration events, available from:
    • Friday 6pm to midnight.
    • Saturday 8am to midnight.
    • Sunday 8am to 2pm.
  • $602.00 daily rate: Extended event hire for commercial, business, private or celebration events. This includes auctions, meetings, birthdays, weddings, private events, funerals etc. Available from 8am to midnight on weekdays only, excluding public holidays.

Supper room (no charge if hired with the main theatre)

  • $18.00 per hour for not-for-profit community groups where the booking is for community benefit and does not charge attendees.
  • $33.00 per hour for not-for-profit community groups where the booking is for a community group and charges fees or takes payment.
  • $90.00 per hour for commercial, business, private or celebration hire. This includes auctions, meetings, birthdays, weddings, private events, funerals etc.

General fees

  • Cleaning charge to ensure the facility has been left fit for purpose is up to $189.00 for cost recovery. Additional cleaning charges may apply if required.
  • $60.00 replacement charge for lost or damaged keys/access cards.

Main hall and supper room

  • 41 seats in the gallery upstairs
  • 150 padded chairs
  • 16 plastic chairs
  • 40 theatre-style seats in sets of 5
  • 4 small round tables
  • 10 folding trestle tables (1800 x 760 mm)
  • 1 small square table.
  • Theatre lighting with the control board (please enquire, assistance is required for this)
  • Sound system (please enquire, assistance is required for this)
  • Stage extensions (please enquire, assistance required with these)
  • Wooden lectern

Supper room

  • Tables and chairs

Kitchen

  • 2 fridges (one bottle fridge, and regular fridge)
  • Dish steriliser
  • Commercial sized oven
  • Microwave
  • Hot water boiler
  • Large serving trolley
  • 5 serving trays, assorted kitchen utensils, 4 saucepans, 1 frying pan, 2 mixing bowls, 2 sharp knives
  • Assorted crockery, cutlery, plates and glasses

Heating

  • 12 ceiling heaters in the main hall
  • Heat pump in the supper room

Wifi is not available at this facility.

Cleaning Equipment

  • Hirers are required to supply their own tea towels, wash-up cloths, rubbish bags and cleaning liquids. Cleaning equipment (vacuum cleaner, broom, mop and bucket) are available.

Conditions of hire

Health and safety

  • As part of the rental agreement, you accept legal responsibility to meet evacuation plans, health and safety responsibilities and to act as the facility warden.
  • All users are required to complete a pre-use form. These must then be signed, dated and left in the drop box in the foyer of the centre.

Alcohol

  • The consumption of alcohol is permitted in this facility.
  • In general, bringing your own alcohol (BYO) is permitted at private functions such as weddings or birthdays.
  • A special alcohol licence may be required if alcohol is part of your event, or if you are selling alcohol. Find out more about special alcohol licencing for events. Applications for special licences must be made with the alcohol licencing team at least 20 working days before the date of your event.
  • Regardless of whether your event requires a special licence or not you still have the responsibility to ensure that you are providing a safe drinking environment at your event. Please read host responsibility guidelines and tips.