Light House Pauatahanui

Contact Information

Ticket Booking

To make a booking for any session phone 04 234 6770 or visit www.lighthousepauatahanui.co.nz to book online.

Parking

Free parking available.

Private Bookings

The Light House and it's cinemas are availble for hire. See here for more.

History

In 1904 a Community Hall was erected on the site of the current cinema. Pauatahanui was a bustling settlement, and many vaudeville acts, plays and musical performances occurred at the hall. Until the late 1920s it was used for social gatherings like the Spinsters, Bachelors and Benedicts Balls but these heady days were left behind after the onset of WWII. During this time the hall was used firstly by the Home Services and then the US Marines, with the result that the floor was wrecked. After the war a new floor was put in and the hall reverted to its original use - dances and balls.

With more motor vehicles around in the late 40s and 50s and easier access to Wellington, the hall fell into disuse apart from events like 21sts and wedding receptions. The hall did receive a new lease of life in 1953 when it hosted Pauatahanui School's Bicentennial celebrations but it was delaying the inevitable and in 1966 the old hall was demolished.

A new hall was constructed in 1967. Since then it has been used by the Rifle Club - which produced many national team members - and for other sports like badminton, indoor bowls and darts, as well as being utilised in a social capacity by members of the local community. In 2003, the hall's latest chapter began as the Light House Cinema planning got underway in earnest, culminating in the opening of the new cinema.