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The Rotorua Soundshell, ca.1947-2019

The thousand clubs in New Zealand

The ‘thousand clubs’ in New Zealand were formed to “foster the development of the business centres”. In Rotorua, it was proposed that a club, of this nature, be formed under the auspices of the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce. This suggestion was to be discussed at a public meeting on 26 March 1946.

At that time, some members of the community felt that “a non-critical body needed to be formed for the purpose of establishing desirable objectives, beautification of the city, developing natural resources, and advertising the city’s attractions". Napier’s successful 30,000 Club was cited as an example of how valuable such an organisation would be.

Rotorua 30,000 Club

The Rotorua 30,000 Club was subsequently formed and a committee elected. One of the first projects undertaken, in 1946, was the Plunket Rooms, followed by the Soundshell project, which began in September 1947.

The club was granted a ten‑year lease of the lakefront by the Rotorua Borough Council and given permission to build the Soundshell. Once approval was received, committee members travelled to Napier, where a soundshell was already in use, to observe its design and operation.

Around the same time, Mr. H.T. Mitchell of Ngāti Whakaue approached the council:

Stating that the people of Ōhinemutu had no recreation grounds and wished to have land for “tennis courts for their use in front of the Roman Catholic Church” (Rotorua Morning Post, 19 September 1947).

In response, Mayor Mr P. A. Kusabs said:

“The land was already leased and that Kuirau Park would be a better location. The council went on to say, “the 30,000 Club had been granted the right to build the Soundshell, and the waterfront was a thing of the future in view of reclamation work to be done.” (Rotorua Morning Post, 19 September 1947).

Construction of the Soundshell

The Napier design was adopted for Rotorua and construction of the Soundshell began, with completion planned for Christmas 1947. A call went out for volunteers to help build a fence around the Soundshell grounds, intended to prevent non‑paying members of the public from parking on the lakefront green.

The Soundshell

The Soundshell was designed as an open-air concert theatre, incorporating an open-air skating rink and dance floor, night sports facilities, such as tennis, croquet, basketball and bowls, a children’s swimming and canoe pool, as well as a cafeteria and cabaret, and available for other activities. "It is stated that the facility be at the lakefront, the land set aside for the Soundshell was from Ōhinemutu to Sulphur Point and fenced in by volunteers". Rotorua Morning Post, 26 March 1946

Although not fully completed, the Soundshell hosted its first concert in February 1948, after the building was deemed safe. The Hawthorn Citadel Band from Victoria, Australia – an award‑winning band touring New Zealand – was engaged to perform. This inaugural concert, on 17 February 1948, charged patrons 1 shilling per person and 1 shilling per car. It proved enormously popular, with even non‑paying members of the public enjoying the concert from cars that “lined Lake Road.” The second recorded event took place on 19 February 1948, welcoming Miss New Zealand to Rotorua, with entertainment provided by the Taiporutu Club Concert Party.

Carnivals and Early Events

Although the Soundshell was expected to be completed in time for a Christmas carnival, the polio epidemic led the Borough Council to unanimously cancel the Christmas and New Year celebrations, anticipating further health restrictions. Instead, the Club was offered the opportunity to hold a carnival during Easter 1948.

By 5 March 1948, Polio restrictions were extended, forcing another revision of plans. As the Rotorua Yacht and Power Boat Club’s annual regatta was scheduled for 27-29 March, it was agreed that the 30,000 Club would organise a variety of events at the Soundshell over that weekend.

In 1949, the Club organised a three-day programme for the Auckland Anniversary weekend, featuring the Bay of Plenty Marching Championships, a "Do as you like" competition, a Māori concert, a children's day and a variety concert.

A New Soundshell

By 1955, the 30,000 Club resolved to build a new Soundshell at a cost of £38,000, as the existing structure had become expensive to maintain. The proposed new Soundshell was to include:

an auditorium, "which will be thermally heated, will have outside entertainment on the concrete deck below the stage for sports with tiers of seats". Sketch plans by Edward Pipe and Sargent & Associates shows the stage facing the lake to aim music away from the hospital. It no longer has a shell shape, but that of a normal indoor stage.

Although the projected cost was £38,000, a tender from W. C. Hines of £38,246.11 was accepted. The Club undertook fundraising efforts, including a weekly raffle with a £100 prize. The new building included a café and an indoor stage with seating for 3,000 people. It officially opened in December 1958 with a performance by Guide Kiri’s Concert Party.

Later use and decline

By 1959, the Soundshell was being operated by the Borough Council. In December of that year, a fire damaged the Soundshell interior and the newly acquired piano. The fire was thought to have been caused by an "amplifier and transformer, standing close to the curtains and piano", which had been left switched on. The insurance company estimated repair and replacement costs at £600. Repairs were completed in time for Christmas events. Following this, the Soundshell hosted numerous dances and dance classes, many of which were run by Irene Oliver, until her retirement in 1998.

Between 1963-1970, the Rotorua Photo News recorded dances, conferences and competitions being held at the venue. Catering services were also provided for the first time by Rotorua Catering Co. Ltd, known as the Soundshell caterers (Rotorua Photo News, No. 37, 24 September 1966, p.11). In 1967, after seven inactive years, the 30,000 Club wound up, although the Soundshell was still generating sufficient income to cover its costs under Borough Council management. A later article in Thermalair announced that the TraveLodge Travel Ball would be held at the Soundshell in 1973.

In February 1979, all fencing around the Soundshell and its grounds was removed and all future performances were made free to attend, because the usage of the Soundshell had dropped considerably. From then on, the Soundshell was a much-loved public venue, hosting Christmas and New Years Eve performances. Irene Oliver ran ballroom dancing competitions there. The Craft Market, a very popular regular event, began in 1996 and ceased operation in ca.2019.

Ultimately, as the building fell into poor repair and a new lakefront design was confirmed through the Long‑Term Plan, the café was closed and the Soundshell was demolished.

This story was written by Alison.

References:

Rotorua Morning Post. (1946, March 26). Advancement Club established. Rotorua Morning Post.

Rotorua Morning Post. (1946, October 18). Municipal Theatre free nights: 30,000 Club's offer. Rotorua Morning Post.

Rotorua Morning Post. (1946, November 13). Dwelling secured for Plunket rooms. Rotorua Morning Post.

Rotorua Morning Post. (1946, November 29). Lakefront lease conditions. Rotorua Morning Post.

Rotorua Morning Post. (1947, October 7). Rotorua 30,000 Club appoints organiser. Rotorua Morning Post.

Rotorua Morning Post. (1947, December 12). Advertisements. Rotorua Morning Post.

Rotorua Morning Post. (1948, March 1). Geyser Archery Club conducts shoot. Rotorua Morning Post.

Rotorua Morning Post. (1948, March 5). Programme for Easter. Rotorua Morning Post.

Rotorua Morning Post. (1949, January 21). The Anniversary Week-end. Rotorua Morning Post.

Rotorua Post. (1959, December 22). Fire does £600 damage at Soundshell, urgent repairs. Rotorua Post.

Stafford Research folders:

Stafford, D. M. (Donald Murray). (1987). Township

Stafford, D. M. (Donald Murray). (1987). Tourism

Pakiaka:

Burton, Michael. (1966, July 9). Charm School. Rotorua Photo News, 34 (123), 60-61.

https://pakiaka.rotorualibrary.govt.nz/nodes/view/1864

Leigh, Alison. (2019). Photograph showing the Soundshell, demolition beginning.

https://pakiaka.rotorualibrary.govt.nz/nodes/view/9575

Rotorua soundshell, 1947.
Photographer Noel Ronald Bennett.

Please acknowledge Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 1370-350A-118

Royalettes Marching Team, Rotorua, ca.1950-ca.1955. Photographer unknown.

Please acknowledge Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections NZMS-856-57

Rotorua Photo News, 26 October 1968, pg.16-17

Rotorua Photo News, 17 February 1968, pg.42-43

Rotorua Photo News, 20 November 1965, pg. 34-35

Photograph showing the Soundshell demolition beginning
Photo by Alison Leigh.

The Rotorua Soundshell, ca.1947-2019

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