Illuminating tale bathes the bridge
The Auckland Harbour Bridge is continuing to shine a light on the cultural beauty of Aotearoa.
A brilliant 10-minute light and sound show this weekend tells the story of Hauturu-o-Toi (Little Barrier Island).
The solar energy-powered show, lighting up the bridge with
90,000 LED lights and 200 floodlights, began last night.
It is being shown on the hour from 9pm-midnight each night through to Waitangi Day.
“Ngati Manuhiri, Ngati Rehua, Vector and Auckland Council have partnered to acknowledge our national day by telling an ancient cultural story through this remarkable new innovation,” Ngati Manuhiri chairwoman Nicola MacDonald said.
“Waitangi Day, the Treaty of Waitangi and our mana whenua iwi all have strong connections to the principle of kaitiaki: protection or guardianship of our natural environment.”
The bridge will come alive again for Auckland Pride, with a show running hourly from 9pmmidnight on February 11-18, and Auckland’s Lantern Festival from March 1-4.
A Vector Lights spokesperson said each show would be different,
some with music and some without. The shows — part of a 10-year energy efficiency partnership between power company Vector and Auckland Council — kicked off in spectacular style last Saturday.
A six-minute specially composed sequence celebrated the city’s richly diverse cultures.
Tens of thousands lined Auckland’s waterfront to watch the show on its opening night, a Vector Lights spokesperson said.
About 2000 were at Northcote’s Little Shoal Bay Reserve for the launch attended by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff. Vector Lights trended #1 in NZ on twitter.