Street Performance & Busking

Street performance

Wellington City Council aims to balance the interests of all street performers with the needs of inner city residents and businesses.

You can pick up a copy of the Street Performance and Busking Policy Handbook from the Council's Service Centre, 101 Wakefield Street.

A summary of the rules for street performance and busking are listed in these guidelines:

Street Performance & Busking Guidelines (50Kb PDF)

Note:
Licences are now for six months and Manners Mall has gone.

For Street Performers & Buskers

You must hold a current Street Performance Licence. These are free and valid for six months at which time you can reapply. Read the information below before you apply for a licence.

Applying for a Licence

Print the application form below, or pick one up at the Council's Service Centre.

Take the completed form to the Service Centre, with proof of identity, so we can issue your licence.

If you use dangerous materials or objects in your performance, then you also need a Peer Review Permit. Refer to the Guidelines above.

Street Performance Licence Application (96Kb PDF)

Licence Conditions

As a licensed busker or street performer, you must:

• present your current licence on request
• act responsibly
• comply with all conditions in order to keep your licence.

Limited Areas

You must get permission from the appropriate authority to perform in any of these locations:

• Civic Square - Wellington City Council (04) 499 4444
• Parks - Wellington City Council (04) 499 4444
• Waterfront - Lambton Harbour Management (04) 495 7820
• Te Papa forecourt - Te Papa Tongarewa (04) 381 7000

Noise Limits

Noise from any street or sound performance must be 'reasonable background noise' when heard from more than 30 metres from the performance.

The Council's noise control officers consider location, time, weather, traffic conditions and other activities in the area to decide reasonable levels. See Sound Performances and Busking below.

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Sound Performances & Busking

Busking

A 'sound' performance may involve a musical instrument, amplifier, loud voices, more than four voices, or any noise-making object (tools, motors, etc).

Time Limit

You can perform a sound act on any one site for 90 minutes and occupy that site up to 150 minutes. The 60 minutes of non-performance is reserved for setting up, breaks and packing down.

Hours & Locations

You can perform in any public place between 7.00am and 9.00pm.

Your sound performance should be no closer than 50 metres to another sound performance.

Late Night Hours

The following areas offer extended hours between 9.00pm and 3.00am:

• Courtenay Place - from Cambridge Terrace to Tory Street
• Cuba Mall - from Manners Street to Dixon Street
• Railway Station subway and outside forecourt

Walk-by Acts & Quiet Performances

A 'quiet' performance means no amplifier, musical instrument or noise-making objects. It can involve up to four performers if the tone is conversational.

A 'walk-by' performance means that the audience will generally pass by without stopping to watch.

As long as all other conditions are met these acts may be performed at any time and in any public place, including the subway and outside the forecourt of the Railway Station.

Circle Acts

Circle acts are performances that encourage an audience to stop and watch or participate in the performance.

Time Limit

Your act can last between 20 and 40 minutes.

Hours & Locations

You can perform between 7.00am and 9.00pm in these public places:

• Cuba Mall
• Courtenay Place
• Oriental Parade
• Railway Station subway and outside forecourt

Related Links

• Discover Wellington - Play
• Service Centres

Department Details:
Transport Group