New Year celebrations at NPDC’s TSB Festival of Lights set to be bigger and better
Four top live music acts will accompany a host of other entertainment options, to make NPDC’s Pukekura Park the perfect
place to see in the New Year.
The TSB Festival of Lights will play host to the Powerco Lights Up The Night event, an even bigger and better
celebration than the year before, to mark New Year’s Eve in electrifying fashion.
Last year the festival hosted its inaugural New Year’s Eve event after requests from the community for a fun,
family-friendly option for celebrating the New Year.
NPDC Recreation and Culture Manager Teresa Turner says last year’s event was an overwhelming success and a great way for
the community to see in the New Year and this year’s event promises to be amazing.
“Hundreds came out to last year’s New Year’s Eve event, so the NPDC team has taken on the challenge to up the ante and
create an even better celebration this year, featuring national artists, crowd-favourite activities and events for
children and adults,” says Ms Turner.
“Presenting free events that excite and inspire the whole community is part of our aim to Build a Lifestyle Capital.”
Highlights for this year’s event include major headline act Racing. Formed from The Checks, this Auckland band is a
two-time Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards winner for best rock album and are nominated for best rock artist in this
year’s awards. They’ve shared the stage with Oasis, REM, The Hives, AC/DC, The Killers and Muse on different tours, and
will be rocking in the New Year on the Hatchery Lawn from 10.45pm.
Other live music includes local artist Ny Oh, who played Glastonbury this year; local musicians Tobetones and the Breaks
who play ‘70s and ‘80s soul with a live DJ; and Auckland’s Brendon Thomas and the Vibes who play classic rock.
The ever-popular silent disco returns to the Fred Parker Lawn, with a timeslot for children at 7pm and for adults from
8.30pm. A kids’ countdown will take place at 8pm, and Light Bites food trucks will be running from 6.30pm ‘til late in
the Festival Hub.
This year’s event is being sponsored by Powerco and CEO Nigel Barbour says it is exciting to be part of the event, as
well as supporting the festival as a whole.
“At Powerco, keeping the lights on and supporting our local communities is what we’re all about. We’re proud to be
powering the event which offers Taranaki people and visitors the opportunity to experience electricity in interactive
ways,” he says.
ENDS