Spark Arena Community Fund Backs Auckland’s All-Ages Venues With a Second $60K Round

The Spark Arena Community Events Fund has opened a second round of grants, putting a further $60,000 towards venues across Auckland that give young people a way into live music. It follows an inaugural round that spread $100,000 in equipment support across five CBD venues; this time the money is going specifically to spaces built around under-18s and rangatahi.

The three beneficiaries are Big Fan in Morningside, Shore Junction in Takapuna and Zeal in Henderson, each of which will use the funding for professional equipment, studio and performance infrastructure, and day-to-day programme delivery. The idea is to widen access for young Aucklanders to write, rehearse, record and perform, and to build the kind of skills that carry into the wider industry.

Guy Ngata, SVP of Live Nation New Zealand, framed the investment as one with a long horizon:

‘All-ages venues occupy a unique and vital space – they are where young people first encounter live music, first step on a stage, and first feel part of a creative community. Backing these spaces is a long-term investment in the future of live entertainment in Aotearoa.’

Big Fan is a not-for-profit music hub with three recording studios and a 180-capacity all-ages venue, running more than 200 events and welcoming over 1,000 creatives into its studios each year. Its youth-focused programmes include Ignite, Fan Camp Rangatahi and the recently launched New Fans, a bi-monthly all-ages gig series built around and staffed by musicians aged 25 and under. ‘Having professional spaces that are accessible to all ages gives rangatahi the chance to build their skills, make connections and see a place for themselves in the industry,’ said Big Fan Charitable Trust CEO Savina Fountain. ‘This support from the Spark Arena Community Fund allows us to keep investing in the equipment and infrastructure that makes those opportunities possible.’

Zeal, based in Henderson, is one of the few genuinely alcohol-free live music venues in Auckland, running close to 100 all-ages events and around 800 community bookings a year. ‘For hundreds of rangatahi, Zeal is a place where they can pick up a microphone, write and record their first song, perform in front of a crowd and start to see themselves as artists,’ said Auckland regional manager Chris Winder. ‘This support from the Spark Arena Community Fund means we can put professional-quality equipment in their hands and give young artists the tools, spaces and opportunities to take that next step.’

Shore Junction, a former RSA in Takapuna reimagined with input from young people themselves, now runs as Auckland’s largest youth centre, with more than 7,000 members and upwards of 700 community bookings a year across its band rooms, recording studio and creative spaces.

The Spark Arena Community Fund is administered by a committee spanning Spark Arena Management, Ngāti Whātua, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited and an independent member, and has previously supported venues including Whammy Bar, The Classic Comedy Club, The Mothership and Ding Dong Lounge, along with a run of Tuning Fork community events.