Inaugural Tirama Mai lighting festival showcases central Christchurch and New Brighton

The inaugural Tiīrama Mai lighting festival started over the weekend lighting up zones within Christchurch city and New Brighton with a series of innovative lighting installations, projections, and illuminated artworks created by some of Canterbury's best lighting artists.

Installations are located around the Arts Centre, Worcester Boulevard, Victoria Square, Otakaro Avon River Precinct, New Regent St, and New Brighton.

A permanent lighting installation showcases Christchurch’s New Regent Street highlighting the heritage facades and attracting more people to the city’s landmark street.

The installation follows a successful trial run last winter as part of the one-off ‘Christchurch is LIT’ event.

Thousands of people poured into the street last year, with an overwhelmingly positive response to the colourful outdoor installation.

The property owners and local business community are key project partners and will be responsible for maintenance and ongoing power costs for the new display following initial design and installation support from Christchurch City Council.

Council Head of Urban Design, Regeneration & Heritage Carolyn Ingles says the permanent display creates a safer and more attractive space so that more people can explore New Regent Street and the wider arts-focused area at night.

Ingles adds “the Council’s Central City Action Plan supports small scale lighting projects, and reconnection with all that’s on offer, encouraging people to come back to the city.

“Lighting up our treasured heritage street brings a whole new energy and vibrancy to a much-loved area of our city, focusing on our amazing architecture and encouraging more people to visit and share this special space in our city.

“The new installation – transforming the street through light and colour – is integral to Christchurch’s inaugural Tīrama Mai lighting event celebrating Matariki in the heart of the city.”

Tīrama Mai – on until 10th July between 6pm to 11pm every night – celebrates Matariki with a series of lighting installations, projections and illuminated artworks in the central city and New Brighton. Tīrama Mai will end with the Matariki Fireworks Spectacular in New Brighton.

Christchurch City Council events and arts manager Tanya Cokojic advises it will be a great event for the whole family and adds "we've taken our lighting festival and moved it out of the botanic gardens and into the central city and New Brighton this year. It's free to attend and we've spaced it.”

Image courtesy of newsline.ccc.govt.nz/