Invercargill’s Civic Theatre has been announced as a finalist in two categories for the 2025
Entertainment Venues Association of New Zealand (EVANZ) Awards.
The EVANZ Awards are an annual awards ceremony celebrating achievements in New
Zealand’s venues and events sector.
The Civic Theatre is nominated for the Medium Venue of the Year category, recognising
excellence in venues with a seating capacity of less than 5000, while Senior Technician Josh
Clive is a finalist for the Team Member of the Year award.
Invercargill City Council Manager Venues and Events Jason Wade said he was incredibly
proud of the nominations, which reflected the hard work and commitment of Civic Theatre
staff in creating a welcoming and vibrant community space.
“We put people at the heart of everything we do,” he said.
“Whether it’s through our efforts to make art and culture accessible to everyone, our goals
to strategically grow as an entertainment venue, or the way we honour the building’s
heritage, our staff, performers and visitors are vital to the Civic Theatre’s success.”
The Theatre's entry for Medium Venue of the Year outlined its approach to community
engagement, which included free events and a community access programme, a focus on
client satisfaction, and an innovative approach to asset management.
“The Civic Theatre is Invercargill’s Grand Old Dame and one of New Zealand’s most iconic
heritage venues,” Wade said.
“We’ve worked hard to upgrade the facility in a way that respects its architectural and
cultural significance while meeting modern standards for safety, accessibility and
performance.
“It’s a model of how tradition and innovation can coexist.”
Meanwhile, the Team Member of the Year award recognised venue staff members who had
shown outstanding commitment and dedication over the past 12 months.
Wade said Clive’s nomination for the award was a testament to his unwavering support for
the Civic Theatre team and his contribution to operational excellence.
“Josh brings technical skill and creativity to the workplace, and is a wonderful example of
what it means to be a great team player,” he said.
“He thoroughly deserves to win Team Member of the Year.”
The winners of this year’s awards will be announced at the EVANZ Awards ceremony in
Hamilton on Thursday 20 November.
