Kaiwaiata me te kaikiriwhakaari tiriti

Busking or street performer

We welcome buskers and street performers in the central city area. To help keep our public spaces enjoyable for everyone, please follow these guidelines:

Where you can busk
  • use the black circles marked on the CBD footpaths
  • you may also perform on private land, with permission from the property owner.
  • If you're performing outside a business, you must get approval from the business owner or staff before you begin.
Busking guidelines

To ensure a positive experience for both performers and the public, please:

  • keep noise at a reasonable level at all times. Complaints often relate to volume, music type or when a performance loses appeal.
  • avoid offensive language or behaviour
  • do not obstruct pedestrian flow
  • limit your time in one spot to avoid overcrowding and to give others a chance to perform
  • do not solicit or actively ask for donations.
Selling food while busking

If you plan to sell any food as part of your performance, you must hold a valid licence to sell food.

Complaints about buskers

If we receive a justified complaint about a busker, we may ask the performer to stop or move on to another location.

If you have any concerns about a busker's noise level, behaviour or impact on the public space, please contact us.