Cat and Mouse with Compliace: Meow Nui's Stalled Launch

This article was originally published 11 September 2024

Wellington's highly anticipated new music venue, Meow Nui, has faced a series of setbacks that have delayed its opening, causing ripples throughout the local music community. Set to be a game-changer for the city's live music scene, the venue’s launch has been postponed due to what co-owner Damien Jones described as “a commercially sensitive situation beyond their control.” This has left many fans, artists, and industry insiders frustrated and seeking answers.

A Venue with High Hopes

Meow Nui is a bold undertaking, converting the Salvation Army’s 1990 Citadel church into a 1,000-capacity venue, comparable in size to Auckland’s iconic Powerstation. The venue was poised to fill a significant gap in Wellington’s music landscape, providing a space for mid-sized acts that currently have limited options between smaller bars and larger theaters. However, despite the ambitious vision, the path to opening has been anything but smooth.

Events in Limbo

Originally slated to open at the end of August with a series of shows by the popular band Drax Project, the venue's debut has been pushed back, and those performances have been postponed to November. In a statement on Instagram, Drax Project expressed their disappointment, stating that “due to circumstances completely outside of their or Meow Nui’s control,” they had no choice but to reschedule. The band offered refunds to ticket holders who could not attend the new dates, acknowledging the inconvenience for fans who had made travel arrangements.

Other artists, such as New Zealand hip-hop group Home Brew, have also had to find alternative venues. Their September 7th show, initially set to take place at Meow Nui, was moved to the Great Hall in the Old Dominion Museum building at Massey University. This sudden change left fans scrambling and added an unexpected twist to Wellington’s live music calendar.

Behind the Delays: Frustration Mounts

While the exact reasons for the delays remain unclear, a combination of bureaucratic hurdles, licensing issues, and compliance problems has been cited by various sources. Comments from Wellington locals on social media suggest a tense relationship between Meow Nui’s management and city council authorities, with some hinting that the venue has struggled to secure a liquor license and meet fire safety regulations.

One Reddit user, who claimed to have spoken with a stakeholder, mentioned that "the council is playing a part" but also hinted that "the owners have dropped the proverbial ball at least a couple of times." This sentiment echoes a wider frustration among Wellington's music community about the difficulties faced by independent venues navigating bureaucratic red tape.

The Stakes for Wellington’s Music Scene

The delay of Meow Nui's opening comes at a crucial time for Wellington’s music scene, which has been steadily rebuilding after the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. A venue of Meow Nui's size is vital for attracting both local and international acts and providing a stepping stone for New Zealand bands looking to perform in a larger space. Without it, Wellington risks missing out on key opportunities that could energize the city’s cultural landscape.

In an interview with RNZ earlier this year, Damien Jones expressed his vision for Meow Nui as a much-needed addition to Wellington, capable of hosting a diverse range of artists and shows weekly. With a potential capacity of 1,000, Jones envisioned Meow Nui as a versatile venue that could host anything from indie acts like JPEGMAFIA to veteran rock bands and American soul singers.

But with these recent delays and a lack of transparency about the underlying issues, there’s a growing concern about whether the venue can overcome these obstacles and deliver on its promise.

Looking Ahead: Hope Amid Uncertainty

Despite the setbacks, there is still optimism within Wellington’s music community. Artists, promoters, and fans alike recognize the value that a venue like Meow Nui could bring. As Home Brew’s promoter, Anthony Metcalf, noted in a recent statement, “We appreciate the Wellington community really stepping up to support the delivery of this event in a fluid and changeable environment and look forward to hosting many more great events at Meow Nui in the future.”

For now, all eyes are on the owners and the Wellington City Council to see how quickly they can navigate these hurdles and bring Meow Nui to life. The stakes are high—not just for the venue itself but for Wellington's broader cultural vitality.

As more details unfold, one thing remains clear: Wellington needs Meow Nui, and the city's music lovers are eagerly waiting for it to open its doors.