Infratil, H.R.L. Morrison & Co ("Morrison & Co") and the Lloyd Morrison Trust are delighted to announce their support of the national music centre in memory of a passionate Wellingtonian and the founder of Morrison & Co and Infratil, Lloyd Morrison.

Their joint donation will see the former Ilott Theatre in Wellington Town Hall named the Lloyd Morrison Theatre. The Theatre will be a premier venue for music, including a foyer, practice rooms, a recording suite, in-house sounds and lighting, and a performance space with up to 200 seats on the corner of Wakefield Street and Michael Fowler Lane.

Rob Morrison, Chair of Morrison & Co and a trustee of the Lloyd Morrison Trust, said, "My brother had a great love of the performing arts, especially music, and was immensely proud of the creative work of New Zealand's performing artists. He was always determined that Wellingtonians should have access to the best music in the country. I hope this new Theatre inspires many new generations of musicians to share their incredible talent long into the future."

Chair of the national music centre fundraising campaign, Dame Kerry Prendergast, thanked the donors for their generous support. “I am delighted that this prominent space in the Wellington Town Hall will take the name of one of Wellington and New Zealand’s truly inspirational people.

“Lloyd was a great friend to me personally, to Wellington, and to the arts in general. The generous support from Morrison & Co, Infratil, and the Lloyd Morrison Trust will provide a fitting legacy for Lloyd. I thank them most sincerely for their contribution to the project. It takes the total raised to $21 million of our $30 million target.”

Alison Gerry, Chair of Infratil, said, "This has been a wonderful opportunity for us to come together to support the valuable role our performing artists make to Wellington's culture. Our gift is testament to our shared belief in the importance of accessibility of the arts to our community and the ability of our city to nurture and support talented musicians in a stunning new facility."

This national music centre is a collaboration, between Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO) and the Wellington City Council. The centre will be based around a resilient and redeveloped Wellington Town Hall.

The NZSO and the University’s New Zealand School of Music—Te Kōkī (NZSM) will be based in the centre which will offer a vibrant community facility that will support greater access to music and the arts, with lunchtime concerts, public lectures, workshops, seminars and art displays. The centre will be a national space for musical innovation and collaboration and will have world-class acoustics and state-of-the-art orchestral sound recording facilities. This is expected to strengthen New Zealand’s post-production film industry, as well as providing increased live digital broadcast opportunities for the whole country.

Professor Sally Jane Norman, Director of NZSM, said the gift is fitting and one of great significance. “The national music centre is an exciting initiative that will provide a vibrant community facility, along with a home for the NZSO and New Zealand School of Music—Te Kōkī, New Zealand’s top-ranked music school. “I’m look forward to introducing NZSM students to the Lloyd Morrison Theatre.”

 The Lloyd Morrison Theatre will open when the Wellington Town Hall opens, due to be in early 2025.