NEWS RELEASE
18 December 2012
Summer fun in the city
The must-have guide to what’s on during Wellington City’s sizzling summer events season hits the streets today.
The Summer City brochure will give you the information you need for the Council’s festival of free concerts and
community, cultural and major events over the coming three months.
It all kicks off on New Year’s Eve with family-friendly entertainment including a kids’ countdown at 9pm and a
five-minute fireworks display on the stroke of midnight.
The Council’s Events Portfolio Leader, Councillor John Morrison, says the ASB Gardens Magic series at the Botanic Garden
will return to its traditional early-January start this summer, after organisers experimented with later dates last
summer.
“Having learnt last summer that you can’t predict Wellington’s weather we’ve decided to shift ASB Gardens Magic back to
8 January. We’re also pleased to have ASB Bank back supporting this ever-popular event.”
Other highlights include an events-packed Wellington Anniversary weekend with the Positively Pasifika Festival, Out in
the Square (gay and lesbian fair), The Great Scavenger Hunt and Extravaganza, and Birdman Wellington happening over the
three-day weekend.
Fantastic films have been lined up for this year’s Films By Starlight, including a special Waitangi Day screening of
Taika Waititi’s already ‘kiwi classic’, Boy (M), in Waitangi Park.
“Waitangi Day is going to be a real cracker,” says Cr Morrison. “It’ll be bigger and better than before, with more
activities, variety and kai.” Award-winning singer Ladi6 will help Wellingtonians celebrate our national day with a free
concert on the waterfront, supported by kapa haka groups and other local performers.
Other highlights include Chinese New Year festivities, the biennial Southeast Asian Night Market, circus shenanigans,
the Hertz Sevens, Vans BOWL-A-RAMA skateboarding and much more.
Summer City 2013 is proudly presented by Wellington City Council and the New Zealand Community Trust.
Brochures are available from Council facilities such as libraries and pools, the railway station and Council reception
on Wakefield Street. You can also check out Summer City’s Facebook page facebook.com/SummerCityWellington for up-to-date
information – or download the new Summer City app.
Key event dates:
New Year’s Eve
Monday 31 December – Wellington waterfront 8pm–12.30am
ASB Gardens Magic
Begins Tuesday 8 January
Films by Starlight – in the Dell, Botanic Gardens
Wednesday 30 January – Best in Show (PG13)
Wednesday 6 February – Boy (M)
Wednesday 13 February – Dirty Dancing (M)
Wednesday 20 February – Searching for Sugar Man (PG13)
Wellington Anniversary Weekend
Saturday 19 January – Pasifika Festival – Waitangi Park 11am-6pm
Saturday 19 January – Out in the Square – Civic Square 11am–5pm
Sunday 20 January – The Great Scavenger Hunt and Extravaganza – Capital E and waterfront 10am–4pm
Monday 21 January – Birdman Wellington – waterfront 10am–5pm
Hertz Sevens
Thursday 31 January – Sevens Parade – Lambton Quay to Civic Square, 12.45pm departure
Friday 1 and Saturday 2 February – Hertz Sevens – Westpac Stadium
Chinese New Year Festival
Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 February – TSB Arena and Frank Kitts Park (plus Parade Courtenay Place to Waterfront)
ends