Auckland Venues to Be Boosted as Part of New Funding Initiative

Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland independent music and comedy venues are going to receive upgrades as part of a new initiative.

The Spark Arena Community Events Fund (SACEF) has announced a venue support initiative that is set to provide more than $100,000 in initial resource support to independent venues across Auckland city centre.

The pilot programme is providing funding for high-spec, artist-facing equipment, including microphone packages, monitor wedges, and professional DJ gear, directly to the city centre venues "that serve as the incubators for Aotearoa's next generation of headliners."

“Live Nation acknowledges that the music community needs a healthy ecosystem of venues,” says Mark Kneebone, MD Live Nation. “Artists don’t start at Spark Arena; they start at places like Whammy and The Classic Comedy Club. By helping to upgrade the equipment in these rooms, we are ensuring local artists have world-class tools to develop their craft right here in the city centre. This pilot programme has shown us that the need is there and the impact is real.”

Initial beneficiaries of the 2025 intake include Whammy Ltd (major acoustic and audio infrastructure upgrades across its three-day complex); The Classic Comedy Club on Queen Street (fixed digital broadcast and post production system dedicated to live recording of comedy and events); Neck of the Woods on Karangahape Road (new industry-standard monitoring and lighting packages); The Mothership on Shortland St (professional-grade DJ mixers and sound reinforcements for electronic artists); and Ding Dong Lounge on Wyndham St (essential backline (amps and drum hardware) to reduce costs for emerging bands.)

The 2025 pilot programme specifically targeted independently owned venues in the city centre with a capacity of under 400 that focus on original live content.

Vincent Lipanovich, Director of Partnerships for Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, on behalf of the Spark Arena Community Fund Committee says, “Independent venues are where Auckland’s music and comedy scenes are grown, tested and shared with the world. This pilot backs the places that nurture emerging talent and keep our city centre creative, lively and distinctive. We are proud to support a partnership that strengthens the full live performance ecosystem, from grassroots stages to global tours.”

Tom Anderson of Whammy Bar adds: “This support from the Spark Arena community fund is huge for us. It means we can move past just ‘making do’ and start putting in the acoustic treatment and gear that these spaces deserve. Whether it’s a local act learning how to be a touring musician or an international pro playing an intimate 1 a.m. set, we’re making sure the vibe is there. Everything we do is driven by love for the community, and this allows us to actually build on that.”

Previous beneficiaries of the Spark Arena Community Fund include Tuning Fork’s Sounds Fun for Kids, Emerging Artists at Tuning Fork (Next On), Tāmaki Makaurau Senior Regional Kapa Haka Competition and Mana Moana.