Auckland Unlimited to deliver festivals on city’s waterfront

On behalf of Auckland Council, Destination Auckland Unlimited will deliver two of the city’s biggest festivals - Auckland Lantern Festival and Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival - adding to an exciting summer of events on the city’s waterfront at Ports of Auckland.

For this first time, Captain Cook and Marsden Wharves will host the Auckland Lantern Festival, one of the largest cultural festivals in New Zealand in February. The festival has been held at Auckland Domain for the past five years, and Albert Park prior to that. The move follows the natural conclusion of the five-year resource consent for the Auckland Domain and a review of a number of alternative venues, with the move to Ports of Auckland considered the best outcome for the festival delivery in 2021.

A month earlier, Captain Cook Wharf will host the Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival, a 12-hour extravaganza delivered in partnership with Mana Whenua.

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff is looking forward to both festivals and says the waterfront will be a fantastic venue noting “Auckland Lantern Festival and Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival are much loved by Aucklanders and draw crowds of thousands every year.

“Auckland’s beautiful waterfront is a great venue for both events. It’s right in the heart of our city with fantastic views of the Waitematā Harbour and Rangitoto Island—which will make the fireworks displays a real spectacle—and it’s close to public transport links and the many restaurants, bars and eateries that Auckland is known for."

Destination Auckland Unlimited General Manager, Steve Armitage says cultural festivals add to the vibrancy of the events that will light up the waterfront this summer and adds “We appreciate the Ports of Auckland agreeing to host these festivals on the wharves. Against this unique urban backdrop, these two colourful festivals will bring the waterfront to life...  It’s a natural fit and will give festival-goers the chance to soak up the action in the city this summer.”

Ports of Auckland Chief Executive, Tony Gibson enthuses “Ports of Auckland is delighted to host these festivals and welcome the Lantern Festival onto the port for the first time.

“These festivals celebrate our diversity and are popular and much-anticipated fixtures on Auckland’s events calendar. We’re excited to be part of bringing them to the waterfront.”

About the Festivals

Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival, 23rd January 2021

Now in its fifth year, the Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival is an annual celebration of the rich Māori history and culture of Tāmaki Makaurau through music, arts, craft and storytelling. The free event will see a 12-hour extravaganza from 10am until 10pm at Captain Cook Wharf.

For more information click here 

Auckland Lantern Festival 25th February – 28th February 2021

Celebrating Chinese culture and Auckland’s Chinese communities, the Lantern Festival will be the headline event for Chinese New Year celebrations in February.

For more information click here 

Image top Auckland Lantern Festival anfd image above Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival Credit: Gareth Cooke. Courtesy Auckland Council