Street Performance & Busking

Street performance

The Council embraces street performance as a colourful part of Wellington's identity as the Creative Capital of New Zealand.

We have established a licensing policy to balance the interests of all street performers with the needs of inner city residents and businesses.

Licence Requirements

All buskers must hold - and present on request - a current Wellington City Council street performance licence.

Anyone can get licence, but licensees must act responsibly and comply with all conditions in order to keep it.

Licences are free and valid for six months at which time you can reapply.

Performances involving dangerous materials or objects require a special permit.

For more licensing details, pick up a copy of the Street Performance and Busking Policy Handbook at the City service centre.

Street Performance and Busking Policy Handbook

To apply for a licence, you can either print the application form below, or pick one up at any library or the City service centre.

Take the completed form to the City service centre, with proof of identity, so we can issue the licence.

Street Performance Licence Application (191Kb PDF)

Noise

Noise from any street performance must be 'reasonable background noise' when heard from more than 30 metres from the performance. Our noise control officers consider location, time, weather, traffic conditions and other activities in the area to determine reasonable levels.

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

Limited Areas

You must get permission from the appropriate authority to perform in any of the following 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

Sound Performances

Busking

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

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.

Licensed performers who meet all licence conditions are allowed perform in any public place between 7.00am and 9.00pm. 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
The 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. These can last between 20 and 40 minutes and are only allowed in the following public places between 7.00am and 9.00pm:

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