Auckland anniversary weekend events attract big numbers

31 January 2017

  • News

Auckland celebrated turning 172 in style over the weekend with a fantastic line-up of events right across the city.

We had approximately 100,000 smiling faces soak up the entertainment on offer and bask in the summer sun in Wynyard Quarter alone.

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Festivities kicked off on Friday night with a screening of Monty Python’s Life of Bryan at Silo Cinema, followed by performances by some of New Zealand’s favourite musicians at Silo Sessions on Saturday and the Auckland International Buskers Festival drummed up large crowds right across the waterfront all weekend long.

On Monday, we got a taste of what a car-free Wynyard Quarter would look and feel like with Auckland Transport’s Play Streets. People took to the streets to bike, skate, dance and groove their way around the Quarter. The Eastern Viaduct car park also made way for an inner city carnival which brought huge smiles to the kids (and big kids’) faces.

It’s not every day we get to see wakas in the Waitemata, coupled with have-a-go sailings, the City of Sails lived up to its name on its Anniversary Day.

Queens Wharf saw 60,000 people across the three days visiting the HMNZS Te Mana Navy ship open day and picking up treats from the contemporary markets inside The Cloud.

Over the bridge, Northcote celebrated the year of the rooster at the Chinese and Korean New Year Festival. The town centre was buzzing with activity, featuring cultural performances, kids’ games and eclectic Asian cuisine. Auckland City Mayor Phil Goff also paid a visit and took some time to check out the future plans Panuku has for the area.

Manukau was busy getting the kids ready for the year ahead with Back2School. Kids enjoyed games, activities and workshops in the Civic Square to stimulate students’ minds ahead of starting school.

Thanks to everyone who joined us in celebrating Auckland Anniversary weekend in some of our development locations. We hope you had as much fun as we did! Check out some of the highlights below.