Santa Line to light up Auckland this Christmas

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Media release
Wednesday 3 December

Santa Line to light up Auckland this Christmas

Santa’s Elves have been busy in Auckland stitching together more than 37,000 magical lights to carry wishes to Santa this Christmas. The Telecom Tree - a seven-storey high light structure - will shine in Auckland’s Victoria Park this December and bring magic to the 15 year tradition of Santa Line.

Designed by Santa with help from by Joe Bleakely, Art Director from King Kong, the 26 metre tree is the only one of its kind in the world with over 16 million possible colour combinations. It will be open to the public all day and night from 2 to 26 December, with lightshows between 6pm and midnight each evening.

As well as admiring the tree from the outside, visitors can go inside the tree, an atrium that can hold up to 100 people, and gaze up at the stunning lights above.

“Santa told us he wanted a magical destination where children and their families can further experience the joy of the holiday season,” says Alan Gourdie, Telecom’s CEO of Retail.

“We hope the Telecom Tree will give Kiwi kids a fun and engaging way to connect to our annual Santa Line and provide a beautiful light show for all who stop by.”

Children can ring the North Pole direct from dedicated Santa Line phone boxes at the base of the tree. Once they’ve made their wish, their voices magically activate the lights running from their phone box to the star at the top of the tree.

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And for those who can’t make it to the Telecom Tree, Santa Line will still take Christmas wish-lists right to the North Pole. Each year more than 650,000 children from all over New Zealand call 0800 222 222 to tell Santa that they’ve been good and what they’re hoping for.

Visitors to the Telecom Tree are invited to leave a gift for a child under the tree. Women’s Refuge, the official charity of the Telecom Tree, will distribute those gifts to deserving children and mothers around New Zealand.

Where: The Telecom Tree at Victoria Park, Corner Victoria Street West and Beaumont Street. Parking is available at the Wilson Parking Building, 210 Victoria Street West, entry/exit off Victoria Street or Drake Street, Auckland Central.

Visit www.telecomtree.co.nz for more information.

ENDS

Further facts about the Telecom Tree:
• The Telecom Tree’s height is equivalent to a seven storey building.
• The lights have over 16 million colour combinations.
• The Telecom Tree lights are linked with 156 wires and 20,000 cable ties.
• The anchors at the base of the tree weigh two tonne each.
• The Telecom Tree took seven days to build and required two 80 metre cranes and a team of 15 people.
• The Telecom Tree was designed by Joe Bleakley, the Art Director from King Kong and Lord of the Rings.

Facts about Santa Line:
• Santa Line has been connecting Kiwi kids with Santa for 15 years.
• Every year, Kiwi kids make more than 650,000 calls or emails to ensure Santa receives their wish list.

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