Last updated June 2026
The Century Theatre at MTG Hawke’s Bay is Napier’s intimate 330-seat performance and cinema venue. Built in 1977 to commemorate Napier’s first century as a city, it was designed by architect Guy Natusch as a concert chamber. The theatre now forms a central part of the MTG Hawke’s Bay complex on Herschell Street and hosts live theatre, chamber music, talks, film screenings and community events year-round.
Practical Information
| Address | 9 Herschell Street, Napier (within MTG Hawke’s Bay complex, entrances on Herschell Street and Marine Parade) |
| Capacity | 330 tiered seats |
| Built | 1977, designed by Guy Natusch to commemorate Napier’s centenary |
| Use | Live theatre, chamber music, talks, film screenings, film festivals, performance hire |
| Facilities | Air-conditioning, theatre bar, Steinway piano, modern audio-visual equipment |
| Foyer | Century Theatre Foyer available for smaller events |
| Hire | Available for private and corporate events via MTG venue hire |
| Booking | Performance tickets via iTicket; venue hire via MTG Hawke’s Bay |
About the Century Theatre
The Century Theatre is a modernist concert chamber designed by leading Hawke’s Bay architect Guy Natusch. It was built in 1977 as a concert chamber to commemorate Napier’s first century as a city and sits within the Hawke’s Bay Museum complex between Marine Parade and Herschell Street.
The 330-seat tiered auditorium provides an intimate setting for performing arts, film and lectures. The theatre is Hawke’s Bay’s premier mid-sized venue and serves as the home for Chamber Music New Zealand’s Hawke’s Bay concerts as well as the New Zealand International and Italian film festivals.
The theatre has been designed with chamber music concerts in mind and includes a Steinway piano. It also hosts a wide range of other events throughout the year, including local and visiting theatre productions, public talks and community performances.
Entrances are located at 9 Herschell Street and on Marine Parade, with wheelchair access available from the Marine Parade side. The venue forms part of the larger MTG Hawke’s Bay complex, which offers free entry to its museum and gallery exhibitions.
What’s On
The Century Theatre presents a varied programme including the MTG Movie Club’s regular curated film screenings of current and classic films. It hosts the annual Resene Architecture & Design Film Festival along with other regional and national film festivals.
Chamber music recitals and ensemble performances feature regularly, alongside live theatre productions by local and visiting companies. Public talks, author events and lectures are also held in the space, together with school and community performances.
Current programming and tickets are available on the MTG Hawke’s Bay What’s On page and through iTicket.
Combined With MTG Hawke’s Bay
Because the Century Theatre is integrated into the MTG complex, many visitors combine a performance or film with a visit to the free museum and gallery exhibitions. The MTG café operates during museum hours and is available to theatre-goers before performances. Free street parking is available along Marine Parade and surrounding streets.
What Visitors Often Say
Theatregoers and film-festival regulars consistently describe the Century Theatre at MTG as Napier’s most intimate live performance venue. The 330-seat tiered seating creates good sightlines and acoustic quality, particularly for chamber music and spoken-word performances. The in-house Steinway piano is frequently mentioned as a reason touring musicians programme Napier.
The most common practical tips include booking performance tickets via iTicket well ahead, as the small venue means popular shows sell out quickly. The MTG Movie Club programme is consistently mentioned as good value for film fans, and the integrated MTG museum means visitors can combine a film or performance with the free museum exhibitions in the same visit.
Where to Learn More
MTG Hawke’s Bay — Theatre programme: current and upcoming performances at the Century Theatre.
iTicket — MTG Hawke’s Bay: ticketing for Century Theatre performances and events.
MTG Hawke’s Bay — Venue Hire: details for hiring the Century Theatre and foyer spaces for private or corporate events.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Century Theatre?
9 Herschell Street, Napier, within the MTG Hawke’s Bay complex (entrances on Herschell Street and Marine Parade).
How many seats does the Century Theatre have?
330 tiered seats, creating an intimate setting for performances and film screenings.
When was the Century Theatre built?
1977, designed by architect Guy Natusch to commemorate Napier’s first century as a city.
What’s on at the Century Theatre?
Live theatre, chamber music, talks, the MTG Movie Club, film festivals and community performances. Check the MTG Hawke’s Bay What’s On page for current programming.
How do I book Century Theatre tickets?
Performance tickets are sold via iTicket through the MTG Hawke’s Bay venue page.
Can I hire the Century Theatre for an event?
Yes, it is available for private and corporate events via MTG venue hire. The adjacent foyer is also available for smaller events.
Does the Century Theatre have a piano?
Yes, an in-house Steinway piano is available and makes the theatre popular for chamber music and solo recitals.
Is entry to MTG Hawke’s Bay free?
Yes, museum and gallery entry is free, allowing visitors to combine exhibitions with theatre attendance.
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