Mission + Role in the region

The Turner Centre is a community owned and operated regional performing arts and cultural facility.  Our key services are:

  • The delivery of high quality regional and local performing arts and cultural events of a commercial and community nature.
  • A range of affordable and accessible venue options for community use that brings the community together.
  • To support and encourage local talent.
  • Provides economic benefit to the region by attracting visitors and generating revenue.

The Turner Centre’s Role in the Region

  • We play an important role in the health and well-being of our community.
  • And, we are integral and important to the whole social education in our region.

Programs to identify and encourage local talent

  • Our local schools are using the facility for a mixture of requirements – from drama to music programs.
  • We have made contact with local colleges (Queenstown Resort College and Culinary Institute of NZ).
  • We are talking with Kerikeri High School and other local schools in the region.
  • We also encourage and support local students by providing music and vocal tuition in house at the Centre.

History

The Centre has been open and operating since August of 2005. This beautiful and unique building was designed by Architect Martyn Evans. The collective and visionary minds of Doug Turner, Martyn Evans and John Dalton and the integral support and assistance of a very special group of Directors and Trustees, Business minds, Volunteers with the determined desire to get such a building of its size underway here in Kerikeri. It can be noted as the largest of its size in the Southern Hemisphere for the size of Kerikeri. Many thought it would not happen but the strength and tenacity of a large group of people can be thanked for the success that it is today. It was also supported by large amount of funds donation and given by Julian Robertson, FNDC, Foundation North (ASB Trust) NZ Lotteries, The Dalton Trust and Oxford Sports Trust and many other businesses and organisations. All of the financial support is noted and engraved on the glass panels in the Foyer of the Turner Centre for everyone to see. It was opened by former Prime Minister Helen Clark on the 5th of August 2005. It continues to grow and develop and support our community now and into the future.

Governance

The Turner Centre is 100% owned by Kerikeri Civic Trust.  It has five Directors/Trustees plus a FNDC Council Observer and General Manager;

  • John Law (Chairperson Director/Trustee)
  • Robyn Terlesk (Assistant Chair and Financial Director)
  • David Crewe (Director/Trustee)
  • Denis Orme (Director/Trustee)
  • Melanie Chandler-Winters (General Manager)