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Street performance (busking) licences

Apply for a licence | Code of conduct for street performers | About the street performance policy

Code of conduct for street performers

This page covers the guidelines for street performers (buskers) in Auckland city. There is a PDF version of the Street performers handbook which includes the code of conduct.

The code of conduct ensures street performers are aware of the expectations and requirements of performing in public spaces. This includes appropriate performance locations, times and guidelines for noise levels.

For complete information about the street performance code of conduct download the street performance handbook.


Code of conduct key points

Location and time

Map of Auckland CBD performance sites where special conditions apply.
Click to view map of CBD
sites where conditions
apply (141k PDF)

Sound performances that meet all the conditions outlined in the code of conduct may take place on any day between 7am and 9pm.

The following areas offer extended hours for sound performances:

  • two sites on the waterfront have extended hours throughout the week from 9pm to 2am
  • Aotea Square has extended hours throughout the week from 9pm to midnight
  • Karangahape Road has extended hours on Friday and Saturday nights from 9pm to midnight.

Circle acts, acts using dangerous materials or objects and pavement art may only take place in designated locations.

Performers are limited to a maximum total time of 90 minutes on any one site. This includes up to 60 minutes of performance and up to 30 minutes of set-up, breaks and pack-down per day on any one site.

Exceptions:
  • Circle acts and performers with special street performance permits (SSPPs) may perform a maximum of two acts on the same site, on the same day if they ensure there is a break in between the two performances of at least 30 minutes.
  • Quiet acts (acts with no amplification, musical instruments or noise-making objects, eg mime) may be performed at any time and at any public place managed by Auckland City Council so long as the performer is licensed and all street performance conditions are met.
     

Limited areas in the CBD

Permission must be obtained from the appropriate authority to perform in the following areas in the CBD:

  • Britomart Railway Station including the rear outdoor plaza (for contact details visit www.britomart.org)
  • Britomart Precinct (for contact details visit www.britomart.org)
  • Viaduct Harbour or CBD parks (contact us)
  • public spaces managed by Ports of Auckland, performers are directed to four sites (refer to map)
  • for coastal marine areas including wharves and water areas (for contact details visit www.arc.govt.nz).

You are able to perform in Aotea Square, but you need to check to see if other events or activities have been scheduled for the area or if construction work is taking place. Contact the Aotea Square manager at The Edge on (09) 307 5493 or visit www.the-edge.co.nz.
 

Noise

As a guideline sound levels from a street performance must not:

  • be greater than usual background noise when heard from 30 metres (horizontal or vertical) away from where the performance is taking place
  • cause the performance to disturb customers or staff of nearby businesses.


Download the Street performance handbook

Street performance handbook (511k PDF)

 

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Reviewed June 2009