Introducing Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre - FAQs

• On 20 November 2019 Aotea Centre’s ASB Theatre will be renamed Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre.
• ASB Bank has held the naming rights to the theatre since it opened in 1990. Working in partnership with Regional Facilities Auckland (RFA) and the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation, the bank’s decision to relinquish these rights has made the name change, and tribute to one of New Zealand’s outstanding artists, possible.
• The new name for the theatre follows a long-held performing arts tradition of recognising an artist who has a special connection with a theatre, such as the Joan Sutherland Theatre at the Sydney Opera House. 
• Dame Kiri Te Kanawa officially opened the newly completed Aotea Centre in September 1990. She was the star of the first concert to be held there and had leading roles in the first two operas staged in the venue – La bohème and Don Giovanni. 

A Gala Concert in the Presence of Dame Kiri Te Kanawa - FAQs

• A celebratory gala concert commemorating the name change will be held on Wednesday, 20 November 2019 in the Aotea Centre.
• The full gala concert programme and line-up of artists will be announced in the presale on Tuesday 3 September.
• The gala concert will go on sale to the general public on Friday 6 September. 
  
  All tickets for shows and events printed with ASB Theatre will still be valid before and after the name change on 20 November 2019.