First Scene

These guys are awesome… Every time I’ve been they’ve delivered exactly what I need. And if they haven’t got what I want they’ve got options to fit the bill. As much as they’re missing some costumes that I’d really like to hire, they have a huge range. Really helpful staff that seem to really enjoy their job… I’ve mainly used these guys to prop up extras that other places haven’t had, and if I wasn’t so far from them I’d have used them more. Reasonable prices and great expertise. Recommend!!!

Are you having a fancy dress party? This is the place to venture to — if so. Word. Whether it’s an Elizabethan gig and you’re looking for ruffs, pantaloons, jerkins, corsets, queens & kings wigs — they have this covered. Or maybe you’re after Bollywood attire? I have indeed hired ruffs, tutus, props, wigs and costuming from First Scene. It’s rather overwhelming place to visit — so make sure you ask someone for assistance — if you’re short on time. I particularly like the selection of false eyelashes, theatre makeup and their shoe selection. All the staff are suitably friendly and helpful. Based just over the hill from Kingsland’s Main Street (shops and cafes) so very convenient and centrally located with parking right outside the building. Cool. Majestic. Transformative. Check it out.

You’re not going to get a better costume hire place than First Scene. The place is cray-​cray big and there are so many costumes here, you’ll spend hours looking through it all. The costumes range from good quality to pretty shitty, but they’ve got all sizes and styles so everybody should find something. They’ve got books with photos of the costumes they’ve got, and everything is in a category, so if you’ve got something in mind, it’s pretty easy to find. If not, the staff are so on to it they’d be able to find what you’re looking for (or something close to it) in no time. The only thing that isn’t good about First Scene is the price, it’s pretty expensive. But, there is a range of prices, although all the cool costumes will be expensive.

I have come here a number of times over the years to find some amazing costumes.
They have a huge selection of completely different costumes. Here you can get full blown costumes and then also little things like random army hats, wigs and accessories like walking sticks and so forth. It’s great. Oh, and they have a huge selection of really good condition superhero costumes.
A downfall is that you really have to fork out for the costumes. This place is run like a tight ship, you have to join (which If I remember correctly costs). And then on top of that there is the normal hire fees, a cover fee as well incase there is damage, and then the late penalty fees of course.
So the good comes with the bad.

I work in performing arts so it’s not unusual for me to take a trip to First Scene once every couple of weeks. They have an astounding range of costumes of all shapes, sizes and varieties. It’s not an overstatement to say that First Scene probably has every costume imaginable. Add to that the fact that the staff are friendly, knowledgeable and free with their time and assistance, and you essentially have the ideal costume parlour. But that’s only one half of First Scene’s arsenal. As well as their superlative costume hire service, around the back they’ve got an exceptional props and scenic hire department. They have a lot of random shit. Coffins, crucifixes, huge papier mache cakes, taxidermied cats and birds. They have everything.
No other costume or prop hire place in Auckland even comes close to First Scene.

For more fun than you can wave a witch’s broomstick at, visit First Scene Costume Hire. There’s something that comes over a person as they pick from the outfits at First Scene, and it’s probably got something to do with the helpful and exuberant staff who clearly love their jobs and want to see people look good. Every time I’ve gone to First Scene I have come away with the perfect outfit and a big smile on my face; the team there are great and I really can’t say enough about them.
Once every couple of years, First Scene has a garage sale and gets rid of a whole heap of stuff. I still wear my 1980s Ansett uniform to work and love my vintage sun umbrella; all bought super cheap!

First Scene is New Zealand’s biggest prop and costume hire company and is the first and only place you ever need to go to get a great costume, complete with appropriate accessories, face paint and shoes.
You can find everything from nurse and soldier outfits, to Mariachi costumes, Big Bird bodysuits to Seashell mermaid bustiers — First Scene is the one stop shop to a brilliant outfit and a good time!
It is also possible to hire larger props such as statues, marquees and the like, be it for a themed party or to dress the set of a film.
The staff are a heap of fun and love getting involved in sorting you out with the perfect get up. Prices are also pretty reasonable, with the amount depending on how intense the garments you’re hiring are.
One word of warning — avoid parking in the carpark. It’s very small and the angles of the parks are not particularly car friendly. When possible, park on the street or around the block — save yourself the aggravation and embarrassment!