New light show to celebrate Auckland

Vector Lights is launching a stunning new show this Friday, 20 May 2022. Called ‘Celebrating Auckland’, the light show is a ten-minute vibrant display, with accompanying music, designed to play every Friday and Saturday nights. It looks set to become a dazzling attraction for both Aucklanders and visitors.

Mayor Phil Goff says, “For the last four years Vector Lights has celebrated significant dates and events that matter to Aucklanders, lighting up the harbour bridge for festivals like World of Cultures, commemorating our veterans at Anzac Day, and marking important times of year such as Matariki and Waitangi.

“It’s great that Vector Lights will now be putting on a regular show and I hope ‘Celebrating Auckland’ will help brighten the lives of Aucklanders and visitors to our city.”

The light show tells the story of Tāmaki Makaurau from the birthing of the region through fire and water, through the arrival of mana whenua and then later manuhiri before visually celebrating the diversity of cultures that make up Auckland’s population.

Show designer Ataahua Papa says the show was a wonderful opportunity to honour mana whenua and the story of the whenua.

“The driving kaupapa behind the Weekend Lights show on the harbour bridge is kotahitanga (unity, togetherness) and the celebration of Tāmaki Makaurau and all that it offers.

“Stories of the people, both mana whenua and those who have chosen to make this place their home, sit alongside stories of the land and harbours, creating a narrative that upholds the mana of the region and highlighting the vibrant and exciting city we call home.”

When Vector Lights is not celebrating iconic events (i.e., Matariki), festivals (i.e., World of Cultures), and days of significance (Waitangi Day, Anzac Day), the Celebrating Auckland light show will light up the harbour bridge every Friday and Saturday nights.

Vector Group Chief Executive Simon Mackenzie says that the light show has come a long way in four years and the capacity to build on its success is exciting.

“The quality of the shows being produced now is incredible. Seeing a new show for the first time is so thrilling and we’re really excited about the launch of Celebrating Auckland.”

“It’s been a tough couple of years for local tourism and events and while we’ve been able to keep our Vector Lights shows going throughout the pandemic, to be able to offer spectacular, free entertainment every weekend now is something we’re really proud of. It gives Aucklanders and their visitors another reason to head into the city to be wowed, while giving local businesses and operators a bit of a boost – a win-win,” Simon says.

Vector Lights Celebrating Auckland launches Friday 20 May 2022.

Winter times: 6pm - midnight. Repeated every 30 minutes.

Summer times: 8:30pm – midnight. Repeated every 30 minutes

On every Friday and Saturday nights unless other shows (like the upcoming Taste of Pasifika and Matariki Festival) are scheduled.

Hear the soundtrack synced to the light show by visiting vector.co.nz/lights

Recommended areas to view it include Westhaven Marina; the western end of Silo Park; the ends of both Princes and Queens Wharves; Little Shoal Bay; Northcote Point; Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park and Maungawhau Mt Eden.

Those watching in person can stream the audio that is synced to the show from the Vector Lights webpage. Those who wish to watch a livestream video from home can visit Vector’s Facebook page.

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