Independent Music Venues Aotearoa (IMVA) is a collective of local grassroots music venues
IMVA is driven by its members to advocate for and support independent live music venues across the country.
Evolving from the Save Our Venues initiative, our mission is to celebrate and sustain Aotearoa’s diverse and vibrant array of venues - essential cultural infrastructure and the home of live music.
MEMBER VENUES ≈
MEMBER VENUES ≈
Aotearoa’s independent music venues are unique and essential parts of our musical heritage and community, fostering and supporting a vibrant live music sector.
We encourage all venues who regularly host original live music to apply for an IMVA membership and join this important community / cause.
Below is a list of IMVA Member Venues. Click on the venue to be taken to their website — alternatively you can view or download the IMVA Resource pdf here.
Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland
Audio Foundation • Big Fan • Cassette Nine • Ding Dong Lounge • Double Whammy • Il Brutto • Neck of the Woods • Whammy Bar
Waikato
Last Place • Monkey House Lounge and Cabaret • Nivara Lounge • Rosemary’s
Te Moana-a-Toi / Bay of Plenty
Totara St
Te Tairāwhiti / Gisborne
Smash Palace
Te Matau-a-Māui / Hawkes Bay
The Cabana
Manawatū / Whanganui
Creative Sounds – The Stomach • Porridge Watson
Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington
Meow • Meow Nui (opens soon) • Moon • The Rogue and Vagabond • Valhalla Tavern • Volgelmorn Upstairs
Waitaha / Canterbury
Darkroom • Space Academy • Wunderbar
IMVA LATEST NEWS / OCTOBER 1
Introducing Independent Music Venues Aotearoa
An initiative that unites grassroots music venues to preserve and celebrate Aotearoa’s live music culture.
We are proud to unveil Independent Music Venues Aotearoa (IMVA).
A not-for-profit incorporated society owned and run by its member venues, IMVA is an evolution of the esteemed Save Our Venues initiative.
IMVA offers a collective voice to advocate for live music venues, and amplify support for them. As we launch, IMVA has 26 member venues spanning the country. We are working to further expand this member base — and strongly encourage venues who regularly host original live music to apply for membership and join the cause.
Save Our Venues initially formed to help grassroots music venues survive the immense financial challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The collective threw itself into various activities over the next four years: major fundraising drives, research, advocacy campaigns, community events, and engagement with central and local government as well as the wider music sector.
However, the work is far from over. Recognising the need to look to the future, IMVA carries on the work of Save Our Venues and further expands it, advocating for regulatory reform and policies that nurture and sustain live music venues.
As well as evidence-based policy changes and strategy development to support the sustainable operation of music venues, IMVA also addresses ongoing threats posed by noise/sound enforcement, alongside a focus on liquor licensing and urban/regional planning.
IMVA Chair Lucy Macrae says: "We have spent the last four years building a strong network of venues and partners, pushing for real change and initiatives that support and sustain live music venues. To now launch IMVA — a not-for-profit society whose future lie in the hands of its member venues — publicly feels truly amazing."
IMVA will continue working to celebrate and sustain the diverse array of music venues around Aotearoa - each a unique and vital piece of our cultural infrastructure.
Our nationwide collective of members is a testament to the rich tapestry of live music in this exceptional country — and the dedicated legends working tirelessly in Aotearoa’s venues.
These intimate spaces are homes for our music whānau. They serve as incubators for local talent to take their music to the world and create jobs in the music sector and associated industries. And they are where New Zealanders share in the experience of live music — week in, week out.
Today, we are calling on all independent music venues from Cape Reinga to Rakiura. We want to hear from you, to connect, collaborate, and share our collective experience. growing stronger together as Independent Music Venues Aotearoa.
United, we give ourselves the best opportunity to preserve and celebrate live music culture for now and for future generations.
IMVA acknowledges the invaluable support of the NZ Music Commission, ALMR funded by the Manatū Taonga / Ministry for Culture and Heritage Cultural Sector Regeneration Fund and APRA AMCOS NZ.