New Zealand’s largest maritime event SeePort returns for fun on Auckland Anniversary weekend.
- By: Auckland for Kids
- Published:
Saturday 26 January to Auckland Anniversay Day Monday, 28 January 2019: 9am to 4pm.
The SeePort Sunset Symphony & Fireworks will take place from 6pm on Sunday 27 January.
Captain Cook and Marsden wharves, opposite Britomart on Quay Street.
Ports of Auckland’s SeePort Festival is a three-day celebration of Auckland City’s beautiful waterfront and rich maritime heritage. SeePort is one of Auckland for Kids favourite annual events in Auckland. The family-friendly festival is one of New Zealand’s largest free events, returning in 2019 for a sixth year of seaside fun.
In 2018 70,000 people visited the port over the long weekend, 2019 is set to be bigger and better. Expect to see Captain Cook and Marsden wharves transformed into a bustling summer carnival with rides, simulators, virtual reality, tours and food aplenty from hot dogs to hāngi and everything in-between. Rides, tours and activities are also FREE with the exception of Heletranz helicopter rides, William C Daldy and Ted Ashby sailings, and Capacity & Planning Tower tours. We have gone each year and the queues are usually the shortest first thing in the morning each day. This year it pays to plan ahead as bookings for sailings and tours can be made in advance online, at www.seeport.co.nz.
Across the three days, festival visitors can enjoy activities, displays and tours including sailings on the William C Daldy steam tugboat and the Maritime Museum’s Ted Ashby. They will be joined by a number of their waterfront partners and neighbours including; KiwiRail, New Zealand Customs, Holcim Cement, Coastguard, Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust, Scouts, Sanford, Spirit of Adventure Trust and more. Les Mills Britomart will hit the wharf for the first time on Auckland Anniversary Day to bring some of their renowned fitness classes outdoors.
The Royal New Zealand Navy returns this year as major supporting partner with a number of capabilities on display throughout the weekend. Sections of HMNZS Canterbury will be open to the public to learn about this key integrated defence capability on international operations and exercises, and the role she also plays in delivering humanitarian assistance and disaster relief both at home and to our Pacific Island neighbours when called upon. The crew of Canterbury are looking forward to meeting visitors and answering any questions they have. The Navy will also have on display high-speed Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boats and in-air and on-ground Seasprite helicopter demonstrations.
Also joining the festival for the first time, the Auckland Busker’s Festival will be showcasing an unmissable line-up of international and local performers every afternoon from right inside the Quay Street gates. Music lovers, rejoice! The main stage will also host winners of the 2018 RNZ’s Battle of the Cover Bands, White Chapel Jak, amongst up and coming local talent.
As the sun sets on the Sunday evening, visitors will be treated once again to a stellar performance from the Auckland Symphony Orchestra and iconic Kiwi vocalists; The Ladykillers. The concert will end with a bang as fireworks are set off high above the Waitematā Harbour.
For more information and a full schedule of events at www.seeport.co.nz
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