Short answer: Buskers need Wellington City Council's free street performance and busking licence, which is often emailed straight after applying. Groups, loud acts using amplifiers or percussion and acts with dangerous materials are reviewed before a licence is issued.
Do you need a permit to busk in Wellington?
| Permit needed? | Yes |
| Permit | Street performance and busking licence |
| Cost | Free |
| How to apply | Fill in the online application form on the Wellington City Council website. |
| Regulated by | Wellington City Council (Street Activities team) |
| Official page | wellington.govt.nz |
The rules in Wellington
- The licence is valid for one year.
- You may busk for up to 90 minutes per location per day, including breaks, set-up and pack-down.
- In most of Wellington busking is allowed from 7am to 9pm every day.
- If you are directly outside a shop and the retailer asks you to move on, you must do so.
- Acts with animals or fireworks are not approved for a licence.
- Children under 12 need consent from a parent or guardian.
Where buskers play in Wellington
- Cuba Mall (Manners Street to Dixon Street). 7am to 9pm daily, plus 9pm to 3am on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Courtenay Place (Cambridge Terrace to Taranaki Street). 7am to 9pm daily, plus 9pm to 3am on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Wellington Train Station forecourt. 7am to 9pm daily, plus 9pm to 3am on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Wellington Train Station subway. 7am to 8pm daily.
Stations and public transport
The council's busking hours cover the Wellington Train Station subway (7am to 8pm) and the forecourt in front of the station.
Good to know
The council recommends public liability insurance if your act uses dangerous materials or objects. A full list of guidelines is sent with the licence.
Taking card tips on a Wellington pitch
Whatever the permit position, the audience in Wellington has the same problem as everywhere else: they liked it, and they have no coins. A QR code on a sign beside your case lets them tip in New Zealand dollars by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Visitors can pay with a card from home, and nobody needs an app.
- Print it large. A phone reads a code from about ten times its width, so a 10 cm code works from a metre and an A3 sign from about three.
- Stand it upright at knee to waist height, with your name and one line saying what it is for.
- Check the rules above on signs and selling. A tip sign is not a sale, but some cities restrict signs, and most treat CDs and merchandise separately.
- Playing as a group? One code can split every tip between the members automatically.
The full set-up, with sign sizes and pitch advice, is in how to set up a digital tip jar for busking.
Sources
Checked in October 2026. Rules and fees change, and enforcement varies from street to street, so confirm with Wellington City Council (Street Activities team) before you play. This page is general information, not legal advice.
Common questions
Do you need a permit to busk in Wellington?
Buskers need Wellington City Council's free street performance and busking licence, which is often emailed straight after applying. Groups, loud acts using amplifiers or percussion and acts with dangerous materials are reviewed before a licence is issued.
How much does it cost to busk in Wellington?
Free.
Can buskers in Wellington take card payments?
Yes. A printed QR code lets listeners tip in New Zealand dollars by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay from their own phone, with no card reader to carry or charge.