'We did it' - $15m government pledge to help restore Auckland's St James Theatre

6:16 pm on 22 July 2023

Inside the damaged St James Theatre today. Photo: RNZ / Soumya Bhamidipati

Help is on the way for an historic Auckland theatre that has been left to crumble for 15 years.

The government hopes its cash injection of $15 million will help to revive the St James.

Owner Steve Bielby said he is relieved the building will be saved.

"Joy, relief, mainly relief, and a lot of gratitude for all the people that have got behind this campaign and helped us save this building.

"This funding will unlock this building and make it safe for a hundred years, and we really look forward to now having a conversation around what we use it for.

Bielby said severe weather this year has caused further substantial damage.

"Certainly there's been water ingress issues and issues like that

"This building suffers from a bad case of deferred maintenance. There's been bandage on top of bandage and essentually, the first bandage has fallen off, so that's why we're here today and we're going to fix it properly."

Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Carmel Sepuloni, left and MP for Central Auckland Chlöe Swarbrick at the St James today. Photo: RNZ / Soumya Bhamidipati

Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Carmel Sepuloni announced the funding in a statement today.

"After being closed for the last 15 years, our government's contribution towards the preservation of the St James Theatre will sit alongside funding from the Auckland Council and the owner to support its restoration so that it can reopen for the wider public to enjoy again - concert experiences, stately décor and all," Sepuloni said.

"Successive governments have signalled their support for the project, but I'm pleased that we're able to finally get this contribution across the line, to help save this important piece of cultural and national heritage.

"We'll now be engaging with the strong community around the theatre, including Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga and mana whenua, to develop funding conditions around the government's investment."

The St James has been closed to the public for years. Photo: RNZ / Soumya Bhamidipati

Sepuloni said the theatre was built in 1928 and was a "staple" of Auckland's arts precinct. It is a Category 1 listed significant building.

"It was where Sir Howard Morrison premiered 'Whakaaria Mai', his te reo Māori version of 'How Great Thou Art,' in 1981, and Queen Elizabeth II attended performances and events there three times during her reign.

"The St James Theatre is a place of outstanding historical and cultural heritage significance. Our government's contribution to support the restoration of the Theatre underlines not only the importance of protecting our heritage buildings, but the significance of the theatre's place in our history."

The owner of St James Theatre Steve Bielby and Auckland Central MP Chlöe Swarbrick who is supporting the fight to try and get the theatre restored.

The owner of St James Theatre Steve Bielby and Auckland Central MP Chlöe Swarbrick. Photo: Benjamin Brooking

In a statement, Green Party MP for Auckland Central Chlöe Swarbrick said she was thrilled to announce the funding alongside Sepuloni.

"We did it. With many hands, years of work and a whole lot of creative campaigning, we've secured the restoration of the St James Theatre, confirming government funding to match and unlock legacy council budget commitments," Swarbrick said.

"Tāmaki Makaurau is a UNESCO City of Music and the time is now to make the investment necessary to live up to that. We have all of the ingredients - limitless talent, immense passion and creativity, and now, an incredible 'new' venue on the horizon - to carve out a unique international identity as a thriving arts and cultural hub. We've always just needed local and central government to recognise and resource it."

Swarbrick said thousands of people had played a part in making this happen and thanked those who signed an open letter and supported rallies.

"It's only because of this coordinated effort that today's announcement happened."

Swarbrick said work should get started within a year.

See inside the historic theatre:

Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Carmel Sepuloni tours the St James site with Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei Trust Chair Marama Royal. Photo: RNZ / Soumya Bhamidipati