NEWS RELEASE
1 May 2008
Spectacular Kelburn Park Fountain to be lit for longer
The Kelburn Park Fountain – and its spectacular multicoloured light-show – is to run for longer each night as winter
draws in. From today (1 May), the fountain will run for three hours every night, instead of one hour as currently
scheduled.
The fountain will run from 11am until 1pm and 7pm to 10pm every day when weather permits. Winds over 10 knots will shut
the fountain off to limit water consumption. The longer operating times will apply until 30 July. The City Council will
then review public feedback and electricity usage.
Council Parks and Gardens Coastal Operations Manager Peter Hemsley says the fountain overlooks central Wellington and
has been a much-loved feature of the city skyline for generations of Wellingtonians. Its history goes back over 60 years
– the pump and motor originally featured at the 1940 Centennial Exhibition, and the fountain itself was built shortly
afterwards.
“Undoubtedly, the main attraction of the fountain is its colourful display, which looks absolutely spectacular at
night. With the winter drawing in and the nights getting longer, we hope that extending the fountain operating hours
will bring a dash of extra colour into the winter evenings of city residents.”
ENDS