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History of Wynyard Pavilion

Auckland’s Waterfront Icon

Wynyard Pavilion is a large waterfront venue located in the heart of Wynyard Quarter on Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour.

Our venue sits directly on the water with uninterrupted harbour views, making it a popular spot for after-work drinks, long lunches, weekend sessions, and major waterfront events.

The Pavilion is known for its open, airy layout, casual atmosphere, and as the perfect space to scale from quiet afternoons to high-energy event days.

Our crowd – a mix of local corporates, city workers, sports fans, tourists, and event-goers – enjoys a relaxed but energetic vibe.

Our Maritime Roots

We’re proud to be a central part of the rich maritime and industrial heritage of the area.

Our strong connection to the harbour and the industries that once operated at Wynyard Quarter begins with our building. We are housed in a roughly 100-year-old boat-building shed, one of several that operated at Wynyard Quarter in Auckland for several decades in the 20th century. In 1994 the boat-building yard closed its doors for good.

For much of the 1900s, the area was home to fuel storage facilities, fishing and marine industries, warehouses, silos and heavy industry, an industrial zone with no access for the public.

The Transformation of Wynyard Quarter

The decision to redevelop the Western Reclamation (the area that became Wynyard Quarter) from industrial port land into a mixed-use urban precinct was made in the mid-2000s.

Wynyard Pavilion was developed as part of this revitalisation which transformed the area into a hospitality and events destination while maintaining the character of the original structures.

Physical construction work on the new Wynyard Quarter began in 2010. The first stage of the redevelopment opened in 2011 – timed for the 2011 Rugby World Cup – with areas such as Jellicoe Street, North Wharf, Silo Park and Karanga Plaza accessible to the public.

Today, the redeveloped Wynyard Quarter is known as a vibrant hospitality and entertainment hub connecting Aucklanders back to their harbour and waterfront.

While the venue is modern in operation, it retains strong ties to the working harbour and surrounding precinct.

A Venue Built for Big Moments

Over the years, Wynyard Pavilion has evolved into one of Auckland’s go-to waterfront venues, particularly known for hosting large-scale sporting events such as Americas Cup, Sail GP and major city celebrations.

Our venue was the Official Bar for Team NZ during the America’s Cup when it was hosted in Auckland, cementing its reputation as a central hub for fans and the waterfront community.

In 2025, the venue won the New Zealand Best Entertainment Venue Award, highlighting its reputation for top-tier events and experiences.

The Wynyard Pavilion Experience

At Wynyard Pavilion, we are known for our casual, approachable food menu focused on crowd favourites and pub-style classics with a strong emphasis on seafood designed to suit both quick visits and long sessions.

We have a strong beverage offering, including New Zealand’s finest beers and international beers, wines, cocktails, and non-alcoholic options.

Expansive indoor and outdoor spaces, including one of the largest waterfront beer gardens in the area, holding 120 People (our total venue capacity is 750).

We host live DJs, music, and entertainment, especially during weekends and major events.

Multiple large screens throughout the venue, make it a popular spot for live sport and key international events.

We regularly host private functions, corporate events, and large group bookings.

Music has always been at the heart of our venue.

Over the years, we’ve hosted many local and touring acts, including DJs and performers across various genres.

We were thrilled to win the One Music Best Entertainment Venue at the 2025 Lion Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence in June 2025.

We tailor our playlists – samba, Latin or atmospheric jazz beats – according to the mood and time of day to create a fun and exciting atmosphere for customers.

Our Community

We are located in the heart of Wynyard Quarter, an area known for its mix of hospitality, offices, marine businesses, Team NZ base and public spaces.

We’re close to Auckland’s Viaduct, the CBD and key transport links, drawing in both locals and visitors.

The venue has strong ties to the local corporate community and waterfront workforce, while also being a destination venue for major city events.

Wynyard Pavilion plays an active role in the precinct during large-scale waterfront activations and city-wide celebrations including Sail GP, Red Bull Flugtag, Red Bull Cliff Diving and SIX60 at Silo Park.

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