The culture capital

Wellington prides itself on being the smart capital and the capital of culture. So it’s splendid to see a new project where town and gown will get together to turn the revamped Wellington Town Hall into a music hub.

Victoria University has pledged an initial $10 million for the fit-out to provide performance and rehearsal rooms for the university’s School of Music and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. It has also agreed in principle to the second part of the project, which would set up teaching and administration offices.

Here is a concrete sign of co-operation between Wellington City Council and two major Wellington institutions to enrich the life of the city. The project will give an extra dimension to the town hall, which is being earthquake-proofed and redeveloped at great expense. Wellingtonians have shown that they are prepared to pay to maintain their heritage.

Victoria hopes to generate some of its pledge by fundraising, and Chancellor Sir Neville Jordan is looking for help from both the community and the corporates. They should certainly pitch in and donate, because the project would give us yet another jewel in the capital’s crown.

Wellington is a small city by global standards but it is the coolest and liveliest capital in the world. The new music hub will make it even better.