Auckland City Council
Media release
2 September 2009

Special event opens

Auckland Heritage Festival 2009

A special opening event on Friday, 18 September – the anniversary of Auckland’s founding – kicks off this year’s Auckland Heritage Festival 2009.

From 6.30pm, the public can head to Quay Street’s red fence and view a dramatic display of historical Auckland maritime footage projected onto the front of Shed 10, Queens Wharf.

This event, a partnership with Ports of Auckland, begins over two weeks jam packed with 150 events capturing our city’s living heritage, most of which are free.

Living heritage is described as everything that impacts our daily lives; the items, sites and areas we interact with. All festival activities link to the unique elements of our city, including the diversity of our communities, landscape, history and culture.

This year’s festival is full of events happening right across Auckland.

Some of our city’s most cherished historic homes and buildings will open their doors to the public, including Kinder House, St Stephen’s Chapel, Allendale House, Panmure Stone Cottage, and Highwic.

Guided walks and tours will also appeal, with topics of interest and locations ranging from the Ports of Auckland’s Red Fence, to many of our favourite volcanic cones, the Britomart precinct, Symonds Street Cemetery, Auckland Town Hall, and more.

 
There will be plenty of on-the-water activity, with trips to intriguing historic sites on Motuihe, Motutapu, Waiheke and Rangitoto islands, as well as sailings on a square rigged heritage vessel and boat tours of the city’s port and harbour.

Young families will also enjoy many events which coincide with the first week of the September school holidays, including the celebration of Auckland Zoo’s 50-year-old dragon, which has just received a makeover, to the Tahuna Torea bug hunt, MOTAT Live Days, and activities at Auckland Museum, to name a few.

Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee chairperson, Councillor Greg Moyle, says this year’s festival line up is the most varied yet. “There are some fresh new events this year which should inspire all Aucklanders to take part,” says Mr Moyle. “Auckland is so young, but has such an amazing history and this festival gives us all a chance to explore our past, while looking towards tomorrow.”

Auckland City Council is once again proud to present this festival, which offers people the chance to discover, experience and celebrate our wonderful heritage.

The Auckland Heritage Festival runs from 19 September to 4 October and is just one of more than 60 free events we put on for Aucklanders each year.

Visit www.aucklandcitygovt.nz/events to get yourself a copy of this year’s Auckland Heritage Festival programme and to find out what other great events are coming up this spring.

Ends

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