Accessibility

At Toitoi, we’re proud to be an inclusive and diverse venue. If you have particular access needs you’d like to discuss with us please feel free to get in touch via email - accessibility@toitoivenues.co.nz

Our space is wheelchair accessible and we have allocated accessible seats for each show, however these vary for different performances. We recommend accessible seats are booked at the Box Office, either in person, over the phone or you can email our accessibility specialist at accessibility@toitoivenues.co.nz

This helps us ensure we’re meeting all your needs ahead of time.

We are committed to improving our understanding of accessibility needs. If you see or think of something we could be doing better to ensure you have the best possible time at Toitoi, please let one of our team know, or get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.

Wheelchairs

We have two wheelchairs in the venue for patrons to use. When you get here please let one of our front of house team know you’ve arrived so we can ensure you have everything you need.

Bring your bestie

Service dogs are welcome at Toitoi. Please let our team know when booking so we can arrange appropriate seating for you. You can either pop into our Box Office in the Hastings isite on Heretaunga St East, email accessibility@toitoivenues.co.nz or phone us on +64 6 871 5289.

Low-sensory spaces

If you need a quiet space, away from crowds, to wait before the show begins, please email accessibility@toitoivenues.co.nz and let us know. We can arrange a suitable waiting area for you. If you would like a tour of the venue to familiarise yourself with our spaces prior to the show, please get in touch and we can arrange this for you.

Accessibility Parking

If you need accessible carparks, there are two on Eastbourne Street, and four in the Baker Tilly Staples Rodway carpark. These are closest to Functions on Hastings and the Opera House. There is one accessible carpark on Heretaunga St East, near the corner of Warren St. This is closest to the Municipal Building entrance (for access to Tama Tūranga Huata, Te Mata, Shakespeare and Assembly Ballroom). These are all free of charge. 

Getting into Toitoi

Toitoi has four street entrances - three street entrances on Hastings Street (Functions on Hastings, Cushing Foyer and Opera House) and one on Heretaunga St East. The Functions on Hastings and Cushing Foyer entrances are level, while the Opera House entrance has a ramp or stairs. Please note, we use the Cushing Foyer entrance for events in the Opera House. The Opera House entrance is predominantly used as an exit. The entrance to Toitoi's Municipal Building venues is on Heretaunga St East. This is a level entry.

Once inside Toitoi, the Opera House, Cushing Foyer and Functions on Hastings are all level entry. Cushing Foyer's floor is tiled, as are the Opera House foyers and the bathrooms in both Functions on Hastings, Cushing Foyer and the Opera House. The the rest of the Opera House floors are a mix of carpet and hardwood, and Functions on Hastings is carpeted.

To access the Opera House performance spaces, there are stairs or a lift to the Dress Circle, and stairs to the Grand Circle (sometimes called the gods).

Our wheelchair seats are accessed via a carpeted corridor on the ground floor, which is signposted. If you’re not sure where to go, please ask one of our friendly Toitoi crew.

Inside Toitoi's Municipal Building, the Assembly Ballroom, Te Mata and Shakespeare rooms are on the first floor, accessible by lift or (carpeted) stairs. Once upstairs, they are all level entry.

The floor in the foyers and downstairs hallways in the Municipal Building are a mix of large tiles and hardwood floors. The hallway outside Tama Tūranga Huata and the upstairs hallway are carpeted, as is the floor in Shakespeare and Te Mata. The Assembly Ballroom has hardwood floors, while Tama Tūranga Huata has a lino floor.

Audio loops

The Opera House is fitted with an induction audio loop in certain areas, which amplifies the sound of the performance for hearing aids which use an induction coil. The sound quality can vary, however, so we advise those who require this loop to ring our Box Office on 06 871 5289 for advice on the best seats for any particular show.

Wheelchair accessible toilets

Wheelchair toilet facilities are standalone and located on the ground floor, accessed via Cushing Foyer. We have two unisex toilets for events in the Opera House and Functions on Hastings – one on the ground floor (accessed via Cushing Foyer) and the other in the Dress Circle Foyer, which can also be accessed via the lift.

For events in Tama Tūranga Huata, there is an accessible toilet on the ground floor. There is another accessible toilet upstairs, for those attending events in the Assembly Ballroom, Te Mata and Shakespeare.