Auckland’s St James: a political football

Back in the day - the Queen St "Theatre Centre" in 2001. (Image: NZME)

Wed, 08 Jan 2025

Over its 97-year history, Auckland’s St James Theatre has played host to stars of stage and screen, put on a royal variety performance, been ravaged by fire, abandoned and vandalised. Today, its role appears to be that of political football. An agreement in 2023 between the Government, Auckland Council and the theatre’s owner finally offered hope that the Category 1 heritage building would be preserved for future generations. But 18 months on, the decaying Spanish Colonial-style theatre and the empty lot on its Queen...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Energy

Z refuses to comment on Flick Electric closure

If true, the closure will be another blow to competition in the sector.

Ian Llewellyn 3:45pm

Law & Regulation

Peters seeks Racing Bill amendment at 11th hour

TAB NZ is concerned about the unintended consequences of not allowing it to refuse bets.

Gregor Thompson 12:30pm

Peters seeks Racing Bill amendment at 11th hour

World

Bessent hails ‘productive’ US-China trade talks

Beijing says the two sides agreed to start a formal negotiation process.

The Wall Street Journal 10:30am

Bessent hails ‘productive’ US-China trade talks

Sponsored

Ready for the C-Suite leap?

Part-time programme. Full-time leadership transformation.

University of Auckland Business School

Sponsored

Active beats passive in tough times

Agile investing responds faster to market shocks and shifts.

Milford

More Property

Property

Summerset launches $100m bond offer

Summerset Group has launched a six-year bond offer to fund the repayment of previously issued debt. The retirement village and aged care company told the market on Monday that it is raising up to $100 million, with the potential to accept an additional $50m in oversubscriptions. ...

Staff reporters 10:15am