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MAINZ

MAINZ Christchurch students working on Avid S6 mixing console in the immersive audio studio

MAINZ

The Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand — MAINZ — operated in Christchurch from 2002, training audio engineers, live sound technicians and electronic music producers at its High Street campus. Alumni include Joel Little, The Naked and Famous and Gin Wigmore. Its programmes transferred to Ara Institute of Canterbury on 1 January 2026.

Christchurch Media Club

The Christchurch Media Club was a large building on Armagh Street, next to the notoriously seedy Centennial Pool. Broken up in to several parts – It had a mid-sized hall with hard-wood floors, a large performing stage and bar (used mostly for Media Club patrons, housing pool tables, darts etc), the smaller ‘Winter Garden’ ballroom where most live performances occurred – which was carpeted and decked out in ornate ceiling alcoves, plus a hallway, toilets and a small kitchen.

Darkroom

Mid-sized live performance and comedy venue located within The Archive a building which has also housed a Gallery / 2nd venue space and front record store.