Apply for a buskers permit

Musicians and performers playing instruments and singing outside of the Whangārei Central Library.

You can perform as a busker in the Whangārei Central Business District or Town Basin for up to one hour a day, three days a week with no speaker or amplifier, without a permit.

If you would like to entertain for more hours or days and would like to have a speaker or amplifier, you need to apply for a permit.

Busking means performing for the public by playing a musical instrument, dancing, singing, clowning or juggling, puppetry, magic tricks, or doing other acts of a similar nature in public places for voluntary donations.

If you are busking outside of the Central Business District or Town Basin, you do not need a permit. If it is outside of a shop, you must ask the shop owner or manager if it’s okay to busk there.

By email

Step 1.Complete application

Download the application, print and complete it by hand.

Apply for a preferred busker application(PDF, 4MB)

Step 2.Email us

Email your completed application and photo to:

Email: reception.custservices@wdc.govt.nz

Step 3.Assessment

We will check your application is complete and assess it.

Once your application is approved we will send it to our CitySafe community ambassadors so they are aware you have permission to perform.

We will contact you if there is a booking on the same day and location, and may ask you to move location. Otherwise, we will let you know the outcome of your application.

Step 4.Pay fee

If approved, you will need to pay the permit fee before receiving your permit.

You can pay either in person or call us with your details. We accept Visa and Mastercard payments via our Contact Centre.

Step 5.Receive permit

You will receive your buskers permit either via email or you can collect in-person at one of our Customer Service centres:

Te Iwitahi
9 Rust Avenue, Whangārei
Hours: Monday to Friday – 8:00am to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays
Summer holiday closedown: Closed from 4:00pm on Tuesday 24 December 2024 and reopening at 8:00am on Monday 6 January 2025

Ruakākā service centre
9 Takutai Place, Ruakākā
Hours: Monday to Friday – 8:30am to 4:00pm
Closed public holidays
Summer holiday closedown: Closed from 4:00pm on Tuesday 24 December 2024 and reopening at 8:30am on Monday 6 January 2025

Service centre at isite
92 Otaika Road, Raumanga
Hours: Monday to Friday – 9:00am to 12:00pm and 12:30pm to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays

By post

Step 1.Complete application

Download the application, print and complete it by hand.

Apply for a preferred busker application(PDF, 4MB)

Step 2.Post to us

Post your completed application and photo to:

Whangarei District Council
Private Bag 9023
Te Mai
Whangārei 0143

Step 3.Assessment

We will check your application is complete and assess it.

Once your application is approved we will send it to our CitySafe community ambassadors so they are aware you have permission to perform.

We will contact you if there is a booking on the same day and location, and may ask you to move location. Otherwise, we will let you know the outcome of your application.

Step 4.Pay fee

If approved, you will need to pay the permit fee before receiving your permit.

You can pay either in person or call us with your details. We accept Visa and Mastercard payments via our Contact Centre.

Step 5.Receive permit

You will receive your buskers permit either via email or you can collect in-person at one of our Customer Service centres:

Service centre at isite
92 Otaika Road, Raumanga
Hours: Monday to Friday – 9:00am to 12:00pm and 12:30pm to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays

In-person

Step 1.Complete application

Download the application, print and complete it by hand.

Apply for a preferred busker application(PDF, 4MB)

Step 2.Bring into us

Bring your completed application and photo into one of our Customer Service centres:

Service centre at isite
92 Otaika Road, Raumanga
Hours: Monday to Friday – 9:00am to 12:00pm and 12:30pm to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays

Step 3.Assessment

We will check your application is complete and assess it.

Once your application is approved we will send it to our CitySafe community ambassadors so they are aware you have permission to perform.

We will contact you if there is a booking on the same day and location, and may ask you to move location. Otherwise, we will let you know the outcome of your application.

Step 4.Pay fee

If approved, you will need to pay the permit fee before receiving your permit.

You can pay either in person or call us with your details. We accept Visa and Mastercard payments via our Contact Centre.

Step 5.Receive permit

You will receive your buskers permit either via email or you can collect in-person at one of our Customer Service centres:

Service centre at isite
92 Otaika Road, Raumanga
Hours: Monday to Friday – 9:00am to 12:00pm and 12:30pm to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays

Terms and conditions

We reserve the right to restrict times and locations where busking can be performed in times of special or pre-arranged events in the Central Business District. Accordingly, for this or any other reason consent granted under this clause may be withdrawn without prior notice at any time.

Busking must be contained to the times listed within the permit.

The permit must be carried and presented to a Council representative on request.

If an amplifier is used the sound generated must be reasonable and at a level determined by an enforcement officer or a representative of Council.

All fees will be paid in full. Please refer to our Schedule of Fees and Charges for current fees.

Preferred busking permit

Central Business District and Town Basin map

The below map shows the area defined as the Central Business District and Town Basin.

Central Business District and Town Basin area, as identified within the Public Places Bylaw.

View larger image(JPG, 310KB)

Click the below link to view the map within the Public Places Bylaw.

Appendix II - Central Business District and Town Basin (Public Places Bylaw 2014)(PDF, 2MB)

Public Places Bylaw

The Public Places Bylaw controls any trading or event activities in public places in the District, including the Central Business District and Town Basin.

You cannot undertake any of the below without the consent of Council:

Set up or operate any stall or entertainment
Perform any concert, musical or sporting event
Use any amplifier or loud hailer
Cook or offer food for sale
Sell or expose for sale any goods, food, raffles or advertise any business
Perform any entertainment or play any musical instrument
Set up or display any banner across the Cameron Street Mall or across any road.
Conduct or hold any meeting, rally or other event
Solicit any donation
Drive or park any vehicle on any mall, pavement or footpath.

Public Places Bylaw

Enquiries

Use our online form to make a general enquiry.

Enquire online