Inspiring Futures,
A Place to Belong

A bold new vision for Kerikeri’s arts, community and business centre.

The Turner Centre is embarking on a major Revitalisation & Rejuvenation Project — transforming our much-loved community venue into a vibrant, accessible and future-focused home for arts, culture, business and community life.

Render of new proposed exterior design

What the Turner Centre has become

The Turner Centre has transformed from simply being a venue for hire into an organisation that actively programmes and presents events for and with its community. This has led to a huge surge in visitor numbers, event bookings and programming.

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Visitors to Turner Centre last year. Up from 12,000 in 2021
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Economic & social return generated in 2025.
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Free & low-cost tickets in FY2025. Including 5,000 for tamariki & rangatahi

  • 275% growth in annual visitors since 2021

  • 185% increase in event bookings since 2021

  • 85+ business events hosted each year

Why our building needs to be upgraded

Our building is struggling to meet the needs of everyone who wants to use it.

In 2022, we asked our community how the Turner Centre could serve them better. Audiences, community groups who hire our spaces, mana whenua, artists and performers, rangatahi and volunteers all had their say, through focus groups and a survey answered by 390 local people.

Their message was clear. The building is tired and inflexible, it has real accessibility barriers, and it doesn’t yet reflect our unique local identity.

Crucially, the building’s current limitations are causing commercial bookings to drop. This matters because commercial bookings help subsidise affordable community use and programming. Unless we revitalise the building, an independent business case found the Centre is projected to be operating at a deficit by 2032. This puts our community discounts and programming at risk.

Render of new proposed exterior pavilion design

A revitalised Turner Centre

Four phases. One vision.

With a total project investment of $15 million, the Revitalisation & Rejuvenation Project will be delivered across four phases, allowing the Turner Centre to remain operational throughout the transformation.

01.

Conference & Business:
Upgraded spaces for conferences, business events & community.

02.

Café & Gallery:
A new front extension with surrounding landscaping.

03.

Visitor Experience:
Upgraded entrance, reception, theatre bar and mezzanine spaces.

04.

Theatre & Backstage:
Upgraded theatre & backstage facilities for performers & shows.

An investment in the Far North

The revitalisation will create a more accessible, vibrant and sustainable Turner Centre, while delivering wider economic, cultural and community benefits across the Far North. Phase 1 alone is projected to deliver:

$17.5m in new visitor spending

Projected to be generated across the Bay of Islands over eight years.

86 more events each year

Projected increase in events hosted by the Turner Centre by Year 8.

2,415 more room nights each year

Additional commercial accommodation nights projected by Year 8.

A stronger community hub

A welcoming, accessible centre that connects our community and reflects Te Tai Tokerau.

More opportunities for arts & culture

More opportunities for tamariki, rangatahi, artists and performers to participate, exhibit and perform.

More business for the Far North

More conferences, events and visitors supporting tourism, hospitality and accommodation providers.

Help us build the Turner Centre’s future

The Turner Centre was built by the community, for the community. Now we’re inviting supporters, funders, businesses and individuals to help create its next chapter.

We welcome the opportunity to talk with anyone interested in supporting the Revitalisation & Rejuvenation Project.