play_station

Galleries and museum key icon. Theatre and performance key icon.
Galleries and museum key icon. Theatre and performance key icon.

MondayClosed.

TuesdayClosed.

WednesdayClosed.

Thursday11:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Friday11:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Saturday11:00 am – 4:00 pm.

SundayClosed.

The Planet Design Building 1/233 Willis St, Te Aro, Wellington

It’s no secret Wellington is the creative capital of New Zealand. From experimental foodie destinations to captivating exhibitions, the windy city sure knows how to put on a show. 

Part of this line-up includes an artist-run gallery, play_station. You’ll find the immersive spot on Willis Street, tucked away in the heart of Wellington’s electric city atmosphere.

No two visits to play_station are the same. The team here host several creative talks, hands-on workshops, exhibition launches and film screenings throughout the year. Keep your eyes peeled on their ‘Gram for the latest events. 

As for the exhibitions, you’ll be treated to an ever-changing collection of works by local and national artists. Often, the shows dive deeper than typical modern art, challenging boundaries and thinking across social, political and cultural topics. 

They also host group exhibits, where you can witness the work of emerging creatives together under the lens of a unified theme. Their recent Takitini show, curated by Brook Konia, advocated for Māoritanga in modern Aotearoa⁣ through the medium of portraiture. These exhibitions are really about bringing the power of collective voices to the public. 

play_station also hosts unmissable performances from time to time. Past faves from the calendar include multi-media monologues, poetry readings and jam sessions with local musicians. 

Book it in—play_station will fill your creative cup on a day out in Wellington. 

Words by Jess Willemse & Photography by Anna Briggs

Information not correct? Report an error

Location

The Planet Design Building 1/233 Willis St, Te Aro, Wellington

Nearby Places

Bicycle Junction

Close up of a woman on a bike.
Place Wellington
Cafes key icon. Services key icon.

Catching on to the retro cycles trend, the clever people behind Bicycle Junction's new neighbourhood bikery, describe themselves as “Urban Specialists.”

Stories Espresso Bar

Coffee cups on the machine.
Place Wellington
Cafes key icon.

Stories Espresso Bar is unique in more ways than one.

Rogue & Vagabond

Inside the bar.
Place Wellington
Bars key icon.

A great spot for meeting friends, socialising or just watching the Wellington crowd do their thing.

WORLD

Black shop exterior of WORLD.
Place Wellington
Goods key icon.

WORLD is hardly a brand that needs introducing, and the simple, jet-black exterior of its Manners Street store in Wellington certainly gives little away.

Similar Places

The Dowse

Cups and vases on display in a gallery gift shop.
Place Hutt Valley Lower Hutt
Galleries and museum key icon.

With more than 3,500 items in their collection, The Dowse breaks free from the norms of the day with their focus on contemporary art and New Zealand studio craft.

Empire Cinema & Eatery

White tiled front counter.
Place Wellington
Cafes key icon. Theatre and performance key icon.

Empire is fitting for a cinema that pre-dated ‘talkies’ when it played its first reel in 1925, but as far as movie theatres go, this one is more for those who’d pick pinot over popcorn.

Toi Matarau

A large gallery full of colourful works of art.
Place Kāpiti Coast
Galleries and museum key icon.

Toi Matarau is a gallery within the Māoriland Hub in the heart of Ōtaki village.

City Gallery

Exterior of Wellington City Gallery
Place Wellington
Galleries and museum key icon.

The hub for art-life in New Zealand’s capital, City Gallery Wellington is a contemporary art gallery with a dynamic programme of exhibitions and events.