We believe the benefit from being taught a craft by someone who is skilled, educated and uses their talent within the community is second to none. All our tutors are involved in a number of different aspects within the music and performance industries. Bands, solo projects, recording and production experience enable them to bring a wealth of knowledge to their lessons. Focusing on technique, theory and live performance ensures that, with enough practice, students progress in leaps and bounds. Mauao Performing Arts Centre's mission is to provide a fun and educational experience that gets results and keeps students interested and keen to learn more. Students grow and work towards taking to the awesome TOTARA ST stage at one of our prestigious student concerts. One of the great benefits of learning with MauaoPAC is that students get to experience performing in a safe and supportive environment alongside other artists and on the same stage as international touring acts and some of New Zealand's best-known performers.
Founded in 2010, Mauao Performing Arts Centre is comprised of five teaching studios, a recording studio, waiting room, reception, commercial kitchen and a 420 capacity performance space named TOTARA ST. Since inception there have been many upgrades and adjustments made to provide the community with the best facilities possible. We provide one-on-one private tuition, group drama classes, a school holiday DJ Academy, special needs workshops and the MauaoPAC Contemporary Choir. With a raft of activity going on under one roof, MauaoPAC provides musicians, students and families with a creative hub. Taking into account the diverse variety of shows and events that occur in the TOTARA ST performance space, the Centre plays host to all walks of life within our amazing and talented community.
Coming Events
Marlin's Dreaming - Tauranga w/ nicholas Franchise
Marlin's Dreaming are heading into the wild of New Zealand over the month of January. Having tasted the sweet sweet touring life last summer for their 'Not That Bad' tour, they simply couldn't wait to get back out there!
My Baby
HYPNOTIC TRANCE-POP group MY BABY, will be hitting our shores for a nationwide tour between Dec-March! This will be their fourth return after their Prehistoric Rhythm album pre-release tour in 2017.
The Lonely Heartstring Band with the Maes
Don't miss this rare opportunity to see two internationally touring acoustic/folk bands who are converging on Tauranga for an evening of amazing music! The Lonely Heartstring Band are one of the USA's most fresh & exciting bluegrass bands, currently based in Boston USA. Much more than just Bluegrass, the Lonely Heartstring band combine soulful instrumental virtuosity with soaring three-part harmonies, and fantastic original songwriting.
Wankelmut @ Disconnecting (Switch Off)
“Disconnecting” is a special time to hit the switch, disconnect in a parallel world and tangle together with positive high-voltage energy.
Nirvana, Pearl Jam & Red Hot Chilli Peppers tribute
This January, Totara Street will be host to a night of epic live tributes to three of the most iconic and influential bands of the 90's. After sold out shows across New Zealand, Lounge Apes (Nirvana) and Funkadelic monks (RHCP) return to the Mount with a third act - Nothingman (a tribute to Pearl Jam).
Deadbeat
Fresh off a UK/Europe Summer and NZ Summer festivals such as RnV and Baydreams, Deadbeat will be performing its first headline show in NZ over the Auckland Anniversary weekend in what promises to be an epic way to cap of a huge long weekend in Tauranga and the conclusion of the One Love Festival.
Mako Road
The Local Safari EP is coming your way, and to celebrate we thought we would go on a not-so-local safari around Australia and New Zealand!
Dueller Society
DUELLER SOCIETY Featuring ?
(Guest House DJ/Producer & international DJ)
Peak Summer Vibes!!!
Jon Toogood Solo Acoustic Tour
We are super stoked to announce Jon Toogood is set to hit the stage at TOTARA ST! "Rock ‘n’ roll raconteur Jon Toogood unplugs the Marshall stacks and dusts off his acoustic guitar for eight shows across Aotearoa this January and February.
HIBOUX - MOTHRA - KING FISH
Hiboux are back with a fresh new album of songs which they're taking around New Zealand's North Island this February. Bringing together some of New Zealand's current finest live bands, this is a tour not to be missed!
Earthless
California psychedelic heavyweights Earthless will return to Australia and New Zealand next February and March in support of their acclaimed 2018 studio album Black Heaven and their new live album From the West.
Xavier Rudd NZ Tour 2019
NZ Spirit are thrilled to announce Xavier Rudd - Official NZ tour. For Xavier Rudd, writing music and living his life are one and the same. “I’m literally just singing about the things that are going on around me,” he says of his sublime and soaring indie-folk. Environmental work, activism, veganism, spiritualism, surfing, family camping trips in the bush and dog walks on the beach; everything Rudd does, he pours into song. The result is a personal sound that strikes a universal note.
Mount Maunganui Summer Soiree
The Mount Maunganui Summer Soiree is mixing you up a fine beverage of jazzy soul, indie rock and a splash of hip-hop to get you feeling groovy on a summer evening. Featuring The Leers, Molly + The Chromatics and Round Buddah, the Soiree will go down in the Mount on Saturday 9 March.
Alien Weaponry
Eccles Entertainment in association with K2 Agency, are proud to co present Kiwi thrash metal band Alien Weaponry on their first ever Australasian run, the Tūmatauenga Tour!
Hot Potato Band
Over the past 4 years, Hot Potato Band has seen an unprecedented evolution. Beginning their journey as roving street performers, the 10 piece band from Sydney, Australia have been twice around the the literal and figurative block. Like a muscle they have exercised their musicianship and showmanship which is the likely reason they leave lasting impressions on festivals and audiences.
Hurricane Party: Swing into Soul
Two bands - double the dance grooves! Big Ticket are an 8-piece Auckland band playing popular songs with a vintage twist. They’re the only band that you'll hear playing a 40’s swing version of Someone Like You by Adele! They play pop and retro classics re-imagined modern juke-box style - great for swing dancing or just a good old boogie!
Join the MauaoPAC family. Get the low down on lessons, shows, specials and giveaways!
Latest News
The School Holiday DJ Academy
So you wanna be a DJ? These school holidays the records will be spinning and the bass bumping at the Mauao Performing Arts Centre, 11 Totara street, Mt Maunganui. The Aotearoa DJ Academy is introducing their popular Digital DJ 101 program from the capital city as a holiday program for all children aged 9 and above.
Marketing and Promoting Your Music
NZ MUSIC MANAGERS FORUM ANNOUNCE NEW SEMINARS IN WAIKATO AND BAY OF PLENTY. Following the outstanding success of the ‘Make Money From Your Music’ seminars the NZ Music Managers Forum, with thanks to NZ On Air and the Creative Communities Scheme in Hamilton and Tauranga, are returning to Waikato and Bay of Plenty with the essential Stage Two seminar ‘Marketing and Promoting Your Music’.
