Auckland Live launches the first Accessibility Virtual Tour of the city's Town Hall

Auckland Live is a part of Regional Facilities Auckland, committed to promoting the arts, and supporting inclusiveness and access to the arts for all.

In early December 2017, Auckland Live launched the first Accessibility Virtual Tour for the Town Hall– the first of a New Zealand venue to assist disabled and mobility-impaired concertgoers. This online tour is an intuitive vehicle for audiences with accessibility needs to become familiar with the historic venue before stepping inside.

Built around 3-D images of the Town Hall's Baroque-style interiors, the tour begins in the venue's foyer, where virtual visitors can choose to navigate wheelchair and mobility-impaired pathways taking them to seating in the Great Hall and Chamber Concert. Step counts along the way, coupled with elevator access, floor plans and pathways to the box office, public toilets and the bar offer an enhanced and fulsome experience of the Auckland Council A and Category 1 Heritage NZ listed building.

User-centric and innovative, AVT is the culmination of hours of research and analysis by Auckland Live and virtual tour developers Property3D, as well as consultation and testing with the disabled community.

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"By coupling the latest in digital tour technology with a 106-year-old building we've opened up the doors of the Town Hall wider than ever before. The enhanced accessibility allows more Aucklanders, particularly those with disability issues and the elderly, to enjoy the iconic Town Hall as well as experience the magic and memories created by the live arts experience. We believe this is only the first step to the future of more accessibility and inclusive", said Auckland Live director, Robbie Macrae.

Accessibility Virtual Tours will be launched online in 2018 for The Civic, Aotea Centre and Bruce Mason Centre in Auckland.